LONDON — Smokers trying to quit are most likely to succeed if they use nicotine e-cigarettes, according to a major review of the evidence. Researchers found that nicotine vapes outperformed traditional stop-smoking aids such as patches, gum and support plans.
The Cochrane team examined 80 major trials involving nearly 30,000 people. It concluded that nicotine vapes increased quit rates by about 60%, lifting success from around six in every 100 smokers to about one in 10.
The review also found they worked better than non-nicotine vapes, although the researchers said moving from nicotine vapes to those alternatives may still help some people reduce their dependence.
Evidence suggests nicotine vapes beat other quitting aids
The review compared nicotine e-cigarettes with a range of commonly used methods for giving up smoking. These included nicotine replacement products and behavioural support, and the findings placed regulated vapes at the top of the list for short-term quitting success.
Researchers said the evidence applied to products that are checked for quality and meet strict safety rules. It did not assess unregulated devices, which can contain illicit substances such as spice or THC.
One of the report authors, Dr Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, warned that people should avoid unlicensed products because they can pose real risks. She pointed to unstable batteries and harmful chemicals, and said anyone wanting to quit should buy only devices approved by their country’s regulatory body.
Long-term safety remains unclear despite no serious harm signal
The review found no evidence of an increased risk of serious harm from using e-cigarettes to quit smoking. Even so, experts say the long-term effects of vaping are still not fully understood.
The NHS says children and non-smokers should never vape, while doctors have argued that vaping could cause health harms in young people and should be made less appealing to them. The review did not suggest vaping is risk-free, only that it is far less harmful than smoking.
Public health groups continue to stress the dangers of tobacco. Action on Smoking and Health says around two in three long-term smokers will die from a tobacco-related illness, while the World Health Organization says smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide.
UK smoking and vaping figures show why quitting support matters
UK figures show there are now more over-16s using vapes or e-cigarettes than smoking cigarettes. Around 5.3 million people, or 10% of adults, say they smoke, while about 5.4 million use vapes either daily or occasionally.
The NHS has started rolling out cytisine, a new anti-smoking pill, and the review said nicotine vapes could prove more effective than that treatment too, although researchers said more work is needed before firm conclusions are drawn.
Almost every local NHS stop smoking service now provides vapes or other support to help people quit. Quitting reduces the risk of serious illnesses including heart disease, lung cancer and stroke, which is why health services continue to encourage smokers to seek help.
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