Vaping May Be More Effective Than Nicotine Patches, Gums for Quitting Smoking

Smokers trying to quit may have a better chance of succeeding with nicotine e-cigarettes.

Than with traditional nicotine replacement products such as patches, gums and lozenges, according to a major review by Cochrane.

The analysis examined 80 randomised controlled trials involving nearly 30,000 participants and found high-certainty evidence that regulated nicotine e-cigarettes can be more effective than conventional nicotine replacement therapy in helping smokers remain abstinent for at least six months.

Vapes Show Higher Quit Rates

The review found that among every 100 people attempting to quit smoking, around 10 to 14 were able to stop using nicotine e-cigarettes, compared with about six people who succeeded using traditional nicotine replacement therapies.

That means nicotine e-cigarettes could help approximately four additional people quit for every 100 smokers compared with patches, gums or similar products. They were also found to perform better than non-nicotine e-cigarettes, behavioural support alone and attempts to quit without formal assistance.

Harm Reduction Remains a Key Consideration

Researchers stressed that e-cigarettes are not risk-free. However, regulated nicotine vaping products expose users to substantially fewer harmful substances than combustible tobacco, making them a potential harm-reduction option for smokers who have struggled to quit through other methods.

The findings also highlighted several important considerations:

Regulated products: The evidence relates to regulated nicotine e-cigarettes and should not be extended to illicit or black-market vaping products.

Serious health risks: The trials did not identify evidence of increased short- or medium-term serious health problems among people using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.

Alternative quitting tool: For smokers who have repeatedly failed to quit using conventional methods, switching completely from cigarettes to regulated e-cigarettes could provide another route toward ending tobacco dependence.

Not for non-smokers: Health experts continue to advise people who do not smoke, particularly young people, against starting to vape.

Public Perception Remains Divided

The findings come amid continuing debate over the relative risks of vaping and smoking. Researchers and public health experts have pointed to evidence that vaping is less harmful than combustible tobacco, while also emphasising that it is not harmless.

For existing smokers, the evidence suggests regulated nicotine e-cigarettes can be an effective cessation option. At the same time, preventing non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping remains an important public health priority.