Quitting Difficulties and Lives Lost to Smoking vs the Challenges and Benefits of Vaping

A recent study published in Addiction revealed the shocking health toll of smoking. Conducted by UCL researchers and commissioned by the U.K. Department for Health and Social Care, the paper reported that smoking just one cigarette shortens life expectancy by an average of 20 minutes.

The research found that on average, men lose 17 minutes of life per cigarette, while women lose 22 minutes. This equates to nearly seven hours of life lost for every pack smoked, according to lead author Sarah Jackson. Unlike common assumptions, the life lost often comes from relatively healthier years, reducing time that could have been spent in good health with loved ones.

Quitting earlier in life can restore life expectancy back to normal

Using data from the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study, researchers determined that lifelong smokers lose about 10 years of life expectancy compared to nonsmokers. Similar patterns have been observed in the U.S., as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study also examined the potential for recovering lost years. Quitting at a younger age—by the 20s or early 30s—can restore life expectancy to levels similar to nonsmokers. However, the older a person is when they quit, the less life they can recover. Still, quitting smoking at any age naturally leads to a longer life expectancy than continuing to smoke.

Many smokers are still trying to quit cold turkey

Meanwhile, another UCL study has found that nearly half of smokers in England attempting to quit smoking each year, rely on methods with low success rates. Published in JAMA Network and funded by Cancer Research UK, the studu analyzed the quit attempts of over 25,000 smokers.

The findings revealed that while a range of effective cessation tools is available in England, many smokers continue to choose less effective strategies or attempt to quit without assistance, such as willpower alone or over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) like patches and gum. Sadly, these approaches significantly reduce their chances of success compared to more effective methods like vaping, using prescription medication, or other nicotine alternatives like heated tobacco products.

Lead study author Dr. Sarah Jackson, emphasized the need for better communication and support services to encourage smokers to use proven cessation aids. The study found that approximately two million smokers in England attempted to quit in 2024, nearly 40% of all smokers. However, success rates varied significantly depending on the method used. Those who attempted to quit “cold turkey” were among the least successful, even though this remains one of the most common approaches. Jackson likened quitting smoking to rolling dice—while some individuals succeed on their first try, using evidence-based support dramatically increases the likelihood of success.

Encouragingly, the proportion of smokers attempting to quit has risen from 29% in 2019 to 38% in 2024, with success rates improving from 14.2% to 27.1% over the same period. Experts are now urging the government to continue funding stop-smoking services through 2029. The NHS and Department of Health reaffirmed their commitment to smoking cessation programs, with increased investment in public awareness campaigns and additional funding for local services.

Increase in Dual Users Since 2016

Yet another UCL study discussed the growing tendency among adults in England to “dual use” vapes and cigarettes. What is often seen as a temporary phase for those attempting to cut down on smoking or transition away from cigarettes entirely, can in some cases result in a permanent pattern of use.

The study revealed that the proportion of adults who smoke and vape has steadily risen over the years. In 2016, only 3.5% of adults in England were dual users, but by 2024, that figure had increased to 5.2%—equivalent to one in 20 adults. The shift became particularly pronounced in 2021 when disposable vapes surged in popularity.

Researchers analyzed data from the ongoing Smoking Toolkit Study, which has surveyed 128,588 adults since 2016. Their findings show that while the percentage of smokers who also vaped remained relatively stable at around 19% for several years, this changed dramatically with the rise of disposable vapes. By April 2024, the proportion of smokers who also vaped had climbed to 34%.

The most significant increase in dual use was observed among young adults. At the beginning of the study, just 19.6% of young smokers also vaped. By 2024, this had jumped to 59%—nearly three in five. The data suggests that younger smokers are more likely to incorporate vaping into their habits, with many transitioning toward more frequent vaping and less frequent smoking over time.

For example, the number of individuals who smoked daily and vaped occasionally dropped from 32% to 15%. Meanwhile, those who vaped daily but smoked only occasionally more than doubled, rising from 8% to 22%.

Vaping misconceptions could hinder quitting efforts

Despite the shift toward vaping, the study raised concerns that misconceptions about e-cigarette safety may be preventing some smokers from fully transitioning away from cigarettes. Researchers noted that daily vaping was more prevalent among those who believed e-cigarettes were either less harmful or equally harmful as traditional cigarettes, or those who were uncertain about their risks.

Their findings indicate that younger smokers are more likely to adopt frequent vaping while reducing cigarette consumption, a trend that could have significant implications for public health and smoking cessation strategies. However, this inclination towards vaping and other novel nicotine products such as nicotine pouches by young adults and adolescents, has of course raised more than its fair share of concern and alarm.

The NHS launches first ever vaping cesstion programme

To this effect, the NHS has launched a vaping cessation clinic in Liverpool to address the rising use of e-cigarettes among teenagers. Alder Hey Children’s Hospital began seeing its first patients at the newly established service in January, marking what is believed to be the first NHS clinic of its kind in England. Targeting nicotine-dependent 11- to 15-year-olds, the initiative aims to help young people quit vaping amid concerns about its long-term health effects.

While recent data suggests youth vaping rates may be stabilizing, the overall trend has been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, 20% of 11- to 18-year-olds had vaped, a figure that dropped slightly to 18% last year but remains significantly higher than in 2019. The new clinic is specifically focused on younger teenagers, a group whose vaping rates have continued to increase, according to research by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

A key challenge is the lack of comprehensive data on youth nicotine dependence. To better understand the issue, the clinic is working with schools to collect information on vaping prevalence among students. Additionally, concerns have been raised about illegal vapes, with evidence suggesting that one in six confiscated devices in schools contained synthetic cannabinoids, complicating treatment efforts.

The clinic will provide personalized treatment, including nicotine substitution and behavioral therapy, while also addressing peer pressure and vaping-related habits. Experts, including ASH Chief Executive Hazel Cheeseman, believe the new service will provide valuable insights into the best approaches for helping young people quit vaping.

Looking at the bigger picture

Meanwhile, despite concerns over youth vaping, the NHS emphasizes that it continues to support vapes as harm-reduction tools for adult smokers. A 2024 review confirmed that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective in helping smokers quit than traditional nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gum.

The UK May be Forced to Extend its Smokefree Goal, And Upcoming Regulations Will not Help