E-cigarettes can actually help you quit smoking. They are even more effective than nicotine replacement products approved for smoking cessation.
In a recent Cochrane study, a research team led by Jamie Hartmann-Boyce from the University of Massachusetts Amherst evaluated the extent to which e-cigarettes can contribute to smoking cessation. The results are published in the “Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024”.
Evidence-based recommendations needed
Smoking is the most common cause of preventable illness and death worldwide and leads to more than seven million deaths per year, the researchers explain. Although many smokers would like to quit smoking, most people find it difficult.
“We need a range of evidence-based options that people can use to quit smoking, as some people try many different approaches before finding one that works for them,” emphasizes Hartmann-Boyce.
E-cigarettes an option?
E-cigarettes are considered a potential help here, but they also pose risks, especially when nicotine is vaporized. For example, a recent study showed that e-cigarettes can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
It is therefore important to assess the benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation in detail and to continuously update the assessment based on the latest study results.
Most effective method for quitting smoking
Last year, researchers concluded in a Cochrane review based on 78 studies that e-cigarettes are the most effective method for quitting smoking. The team has now updated this review taking ten additional studies into account.
The study evaluation demonstrated with a high degree of certainty that e-cigarettes, in which nicotine can be vaporized, lead to better chances of quitting smoking than patches, chewing gum, lozenges or other conventional nicotine replacement products, the researchers summarize.
Of every 100 people who use nicotine e-cigarettes to quit smoking, eight to ten people are expected to successfully quit, compared to six out of 100 people who use traditional nicotine replacement therapy and four out of 100 people who do so without supportive measures want to stop smoking.
-E-cigarettes not risk-free
There is also “very clear evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes are not risk-free, but are significantly less harmful than smoking,” adds Hartmann-Boyce.
In general, those who do not smoke tobacco should also avoid e-cigarettes because of the possible negative health effects, but smokers can benefit from e-cigarettes by helping them quit tobacco use, emphasizes Hartmann-Boyce. (fp)