Vapes Beat Patches, Gum for Quitting Smoking
A major evidence review finds nicotine e-cigarettes are the most effective tool for quitting smoking, outperforming traditional aids like patches and gum
Nicotine e-cigarettes give smokers the best chance of quitting, according to a major evidence review. The Cochrane team analyzed 80 trials involving nearly 30,000 people.
Researchers found that using nicotine vapes increased the success rate for quitting by about 60% compared to traditional aids like patches, gum, and support plans. Where around six in every 100 people quit with traditional methods, about one in every 10 succeeded with nicotine vapes.
Nicotine vapes also outperformed non-nicotine vapes. However, the review suggests switching to non-nicotine vapes afterward might help people wean off nicotine entirely.
Comparing Quit-Smoking Methods
The review indicates nicotine vapes could be more effective than the new anti-smoking pill cytisine, which the NHS has started to roll out. The researchers note that more study is needed on this comparison.
| Method | Comparative Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Nicotine e-cigarettes | Most effective; ~10% success rate |
| Patches, gum, support | Less effective; ~6% success rate |
| Non-nicotine vapes | Less effective than nicotine vapes |
| Cytisine pill | Possibly less effective; more research needed |
Safety and Regulation Concerns
Experts cited in the BBC report say vaping, while not entirely risk-free, is far safer than smoking. The review specifically applies to regulated vapes checked for quality and compliant with strict safety laws. It did not examine unregulated products, which can contain illicit substances.
Dr. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, one of the report authors, cautioned that unlicensed e-cigarettes are potentially dangerous. "Anyone looking to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking should only purchase devices that have been tested and approved by their country's regulatory body," she said.
The review found no evidence of serious harm from using e-cigarettes to quit. However, the long-term risks of vaping are not yet clear. The NHS states that children and non-smokers should never vape.
Doctors say vaping could lead to health harms in children and should be made "less attractive" to them. In the UK, figures show more people over 16 now use vapes than smoke cigarettes. Around 5.3 million adults smoke, while about 5.4 million use vapes daily or occasionally.
According to the charity Action on Smoking and Health, about two in three long-term smokers will die from a tobacco-related illness. The World Health Organization states smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, killing over seven million people a year.
Quitting smoking reduces the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke. Almost every local NHS stop smoking service provides vapes or other support to help people quit.
