Smokers who want to quit are more likely to succeed if they use nicotine e-cigarettes, according to a large scientific study by the Cochrane Group.
Lead researchers at the University of Oxford, who reviewed 80 large clinical trials, involving nearly 30,000 participants, found that nicotine e-cigarettes were more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine patches and gum, as well as behavioral support interventions.
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According to these findings, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes increased the success rate of smoking cessation by approximately 60%. While about six out of every 100 smokers manage to quit using other methods, that rate rises to about one in 10 when using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes containing nicotine were also found to be more effective than those without nicotine, although researchers note that switching to nicotine-free products at a later stage could help with gradual nicotine withdrawal.
They may also prove to be more effective than cytisine, the new prescription medication for smoking cessation that the British National Health Service (NHS) has begun to make available, although further research is needed.
The long-term risks are not yet clear
Researchers note that regulated e-cigarettes are considered significantly less harmful than smoking for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke.
In the United Kingdom, there are now more people over the age of 16 who use e-cigarettes than those who smoke conventional cigarettes, according to available data. About 5.3 million people, or 10% of adults, report that they smoke, while approximately 5.4 million use e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally.
Dr. Nicola Lindson, lead author of the review and Associate Professor at the Oxford Tobacco Addiction Group at the University of Oxford, states: “Quitting smoking is difficult, and many smokers have tried repeatedly to quit without success. For this reason, it is important to have different options available that can help someone quit smoking, as this may encourage them to keep trying. Although nicotine e-cigarettes are unlikely to be completely risk-free, they are less harmful than smoking. And that is the most important comparison to make for people who continue to smoke tobacco products.”
The review, which compiles the most recent and highest-quality scientific data to date, focuses on regulated e-cigarettes, which are subject to quality controls and comply with strict safety standards. It does not examine unregulated products, which may contain illegal substances, such as synthetic cannabinoids like “spice” or THC.
One of the report’s authors, Dr. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, warned: “Unlicensed e-cigarettes can be dangerous, with problems ranging from unstable batteries to harmful chemicals. Anyone wishing to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking should only purchase devices that have been tested and approved by their country’s relevant regulatory authority.”
The review found no evidence to suggest an increased risk of serious harm from using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.
The long-term risks of vaping, however, have not yet been clarified, and the NHS emphasizes that children and nonsmokers should never use e-cigarettes.
Doctors warn that vaping can cause harm to children’s health and argue that these products should be made “less appealing” to younger age groups. About two out of three long-term smokers will die from a smoking-related illness, according to the British organization Action on Smoking and Health. According to the World Health Organization, smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and death, causing more than seven million deaths each year.
Quitting smoking reduces the risk of serious diseases, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes.
Source: BBC.com / University of Oxford
