Scientists reveal the most effective ways to quit vaping

Research co-led by UMass Amherst explores effective strategies for quitting e-cigarettes.

A new study co-led by a University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has identified effective strategies to help people quit vaping. Published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsThe study found that varenicline, a prescription medication commonly used to help people quit smoking, and text message support programs can significantly help quit vaping.

“This is an area of ​​research that is in its infancy, but is growing rapidly and organically thanks to people who vape seeking help to quit vaping,” says lead author Jamie Hartmann -Boyce, assistant professor of health policy and management in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and Cochrane editor. “We also know that people who use vaping to quit smoking often want to know how to quit vaping safely without falling back into smoking, which is really important. »

Comparative effectiveness of cessation methods

Cochrane reviews found “high-certainty evidence” that e-cigarettes lead to a better chance of quitting smoking than patches, gum, lozenges or other traditional nicotine replacement therapies.

Other people, particularly young people who have never smoked, take up vaping and may face health risks or develop a nicotine dependence and wish to stop vaping.

In the journal on vaping cessation, the team of scientists, including co-lead authors Nicola Lindson and Ailsa Butler from

” data-gt-translate-attributes=”({“attribute=”” tabindex=”0″ role=”link”>University of OxfordNuffield’s Department of Primary Care Health Sciences identified nine relevant randomized studies involving more than 5,000 participants. The researchers aimed to evaluate and evaluate the effectiveness of the tools that were tested in helping individuals quit vaping.

“The interventions tested are similar to those that we know help people quit smoking,” says Hartmann-Boyce. “We don’t know, however, whether they necessarily help people stop vaping, and that’s why it’s important that we conduct these trials.”

Findings and Recommendations

The study found that programs designed to provide support via text messages appear effective for young people aged 13 to 24. The prescription drug varenicline, commonly used to help people quit smoking, was potentially effective for adults trying to quit vaping. However, due to the limited number of studies, this evidence for both approaches was insecure and, the researchers explain, needs to be studied in more detail.

“Thanks to the results of our Cochrane review, healthcare professionals now have early evidence of specific approaches they can recommend, particularly for young people who want to stop vaping,” says Butler. “However, we urgently need more research to explore these and other approaches. »

The SMS approach offers a mix of motivational content, as well as content around social norms and advice on ways to quit vaping. “I think it’s clear that this approach helps young people,” says Hartmann-Boyce. “The question is: will this help other populations?

Hartmann-Boyce says more relevant studies are underway and the issue will remain a high priority at Cochrane. “This is a very early area of ​​research,” she says. “This is a living, systematic review, and we will look for new evidence each month and update the review as it is published, because we know this research is evolving.”

Reference: “Interventions to stop vaping” by Ailsa R Butler, Nicola Lindson, Jonathan Livingstone-Banks, Caitlin Notley, Tari Turner, Nancy A Rigotti, Thomas R Fanshawe, Lynne Dawkins, Rachna Begh, Angela Difeng Wu, Leonie Brose, Monserrat Conde, Erikas Simonavičius and Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, January 8, 2025, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD016058.pub2

The study was funded by Cancer Research UK.