The study titled Harm Minimization and Tobacco Control: Reframing Societal Views of Nicotine Use to Rapidly Save Lives, was conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. David B. Abrams from New York University. The team set out to measure the real-life impact of endorsing vaping as a smoking cessation aid, in comparison to regulating it as just another form of tobacco.
The researchers analyzed current and past reports and data related to smoking, in order to uncover any relevant patterns and trends. The compiled data indicated that if most cigarette smokers had to switch to vaping, an estimated 6.6 million lives would be saved over ten years, resulting in 86.7 million fewer life years lost due to smoking.
Any negative effects of vaping are outweighed by positive ones
The team also explained that they only found a potential negative effect to vaping when conducting the most unreasonable simulations, and even pointed out that any negative effects that the advent of vaping could have brought about, such as the uptake of vaping amongst youth, are greatly outweighed by positive aspects.
“Even if the risk of harm to some youth who otherwise would not have smoked is marginally increased, such risks must be weighed against the substantial and immediate benefits of displacing smoking with safer nicotine products among both youth and adults,” concluded the researchers.
