According to an updated comprehensive review by Cochrane, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes (vapes) are significantly more effective at helping people quit smoking than traditional methods, including nicotine patches, gums, or behavioral therapy.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is a leading cause of mortality, claiming over 7 million lives annually (including 1.6 million passive smokers). A new analysis based on data from 80 randomized clinical trials involving nearly 30,000 participants showed that compared to traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), e-cigarettes are more effective in smoking cessation—for every 100 people, an average of 4 more people successfully quit smoking when using vapes. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that nicotine-containing vapes are more effective than nicotine-free alternatives—for every 100 people, an average of 2 more people quit smoking with nicotine vapes.
Dr. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a scientist at the University of Massachusetts, stated that the evidence clearly shows regulated e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional smoking and represent a real, viable alternative. However, researchers emphasize that this applies exclusively to officially regulated products. Unlicensed e-cigarettes, which are widespread on the market, often contain dangerous chemicals and pose severe health risks.
Dr. Nicola Lindson, a representative of Oxford University and lead author of the study, explains that quitting smoking is an extremely difficult process, and many people give up after multiple unsuccessful attempts. Although e-cigarettes are not 100% safe and carry health risks of their own, they cause significantly less harm to the body than conventional cigarettes.
Scientists view e-cigarettes not as the ultimate goal, but as a “transitional stage” to escape traditional smoking, enabling individuals to eventually eliminate nicotine consumption entirely.
