Swiss researchers have said that people who have used electronic cigarettes say they were a bit helpful to quit smoking, but the devices were described as unreliable.

The study involved surveying 81 users and former users of e-cigarettes, says study author Jean-Francois Etter of the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

It is said by ninety-five percent that the e-cigarettes were at least somewhat helpful to stop smoking.

Some, however, said that they were concerned about potential toxicity and some described the devices as "poor quality," "lack of reliability" and "frequent failures."

Etter says in a statement, "Although users' comments were generally positive, many were concerned about safety and toxicity and questioned why no study has yet investigated these aspects. Several respondents were also concerned about the future legal status of e-cigarettes, and that they may possibly be banned. Very few studies have investigated these devices and research is now urgently required. There is an urgent need for research into the toxicity, efficacy and public health impact of e-cigarettes."

The BMC Public Health has published the findings. (With Inputs from Agencies)