The study titled “Moderators of real‐world effectiveness of smoking cessation aids: a population study”, was published in Addiction last month and found that e-cigarettes are “3 times more effective than nicotine patches at helping smokers quit”
“Our study adds to growing evidence that use of e-cigs can help smokers to quit. It also raises concerns about the apparent lack of effectiveness of NRT bought from a shop”
The researchers analysed the smoking cessation behaviour of almost 20,000 smokers, and in line with previous research found that e-cigarettes were the most effective smoking cessation tools at 95%, while varenicline tablets (marketed as Champix) were the second most effective at 82%.
“Stopping smoking reduces the risk of chronic diseases and increases the quality of life and life expectancy. It is therefore important that every quit attempt has the best possible chance of success,” said lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson.
“Our study adds to growing evidence that use of e-cigarettes can help smokers to quit. It also raises concerns about the apparent lack of effectiveness of NRT bought from a shop,” she added.
The financial benefit of switching to e-cigs
The study’s co-author, Dr. Jamie Brown pointed out the additional financial benefit of the safer alternatives. “It is important that e-cigarettes appeared to be equally effective for smokers of all ages and social backgrounds. Smoking is one of the biggest contributors to health inequality between rich and poor and the growth in e-cigarette use may ultimately start to reduce this gap.”
Another study published earlier this year looking at the effects of vaping on cardiovascular health, similarly indicated that smokers who switch to vaping are more likely to not take up smoking again and successfully complete their stop smoking attempt.
