Quit smoking: An updated Cochrane review found that regulated nicotine e-cigarettes may help more smokers quit than traditional nicotine-replacement options such as patches and gum. The evidence suggests about 4 additional people per 100 may quit using nicotine e-cigarettes, although vaping still carries health risks.
Smoking: A major health burden
Smoking remains one of the world’s leading causes of preventable disease and death, contributing to more than 7 million deaths each year. Because quitting can be challenging, smokers often need multiple attempts and different support options. The updated Cochrane review analyzed 80 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 30,000 participants to compare various quitting methods.
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Vapes show higher quit rates
The review found high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes produced higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy, including patches and gum. For every 100 people attempting to quit, around four more people successfully stopped smoking when using nicotine e-cigarettes compared with traditional NRT. They also performed better than non-nicotine e-cigarettes, with around two additional quitters per 100.
Not risk-free
Higher quit rates do not mean vaping is harmless. E-cigarettes still expose users to nicotine and other chemicals, and researchers say more evidence is needed on their long-term health effects. The findings specifically apply to regulated nicotine e-cigarettes and should not be assumed to apply to illicit or unregulated products, which may carry additional risks.
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A step away from smoking
For smokers who have struggled with other quitting methods, regulated nicotine e-cigarettes may provide another option to consider alongside professional support. Researchers emphasize that vaping should be viewed as a transition away from traditional cigarettes, rather than a risk-free alternative or an endpoint. The ultimate goal remains to quit smoking and, where possible, eventually become free from nicotine altogether.