Nicotine Vapes Top Aids for Quitting Smoking

A comprehensive review indicates that nicotine e-cigarettes are the most effective method for individuals seeking to quit smoking. Researchers examined 80 trials involving nearly 30,000 participants, concluding that nicotine vapes raised success rates by about 60%. This means roughly 10 in 100 people managed to quit using nicotine vapes, compared to six in 100 with traditional aids.

Nicotine vapes also proved more effective than non-nicotine versions, though the latter might assist in gradual nicotine weaning. While research is ongoing, nicotine vapes may also be more effective than the anti-smoking pill cytisine. Experts emphasize that vaping, though not entirely without risk, is substantially safer than smoking.

The review focused on regulated vapes compliant with safety laws and did not assess unregulated products, which can contain dangerous substances. Concerns were raised about unlicensed devices, noting potential risks from unstable batteries and harmful chemicals. Individuals using e-cigarettes to quit should only purchase tested and approved devices.

No evidence of increased serious harm from using e-cigarettes for quitting was found. However, long-term vaping risks remain unclear, and health authorities advise that children and non-smokers should never vape. There are concerns that vaping could lead to health harms in children, prompting calls to make it less attractive to them. Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death, responsible for over seven million deaths annually worldwide.