Do electronic cigarettes really help people quit smoking?

Over at e-cigarette-forum.com they've been running a poll since Feb of 2009 asking that very question and I found the results a bit facinating.

Out of 887 respondents so far the results tally up like this:

• 708 "I've completely quit analogs with e-cigs"
• 174 "I've cut down on analogs use with e-cigs"
• 5  "I only use e-cigs where I can't use analogs"

Now, that's not a formal study by any recognized authority on tobacco or smoking or some major university, but it does say a lot about what e-cig users have to say. In study terms that's what? Anecdotal evidence? How many "official" medical studies have 887 respondents?

Many of the respondents left comments and what they have to say really does make one think electronic cigarettes can help people quit smoking whether it's proved by scientists or not.

Since charging my first ecig, I have not smoked an analog. Had smoked for 30 years a pack to pack and a half a day.....

The one thing these have given me is hope. After having failed to quit more times than I can count, e-cigs have given me hope that it is possible without losing my mind......

I no longer cough or wheeze and can lay on my back and breath again. Oh, and I can go up and down stairs now without huffing and puffing......