A new study led by researchers from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford and the University of Massachusetts Amherst set out to identify the most effective strategies for helping people quit vaping. The findings suggest that varenicline, a prescription medication often used to help people stop smoking, and text message-based interventions can help people quit.
With around 5.1 million people in Great Britain using vapes, evidence-based cessation support is increasingly important for those people who want to stop. The research, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, compares the latest evidence from nine randomised controlled trials involving more than 5,000 participants. It evaluates tools that have been tested to help individuals quit vaping and assesses their effectiveness.
Understanding vaping and its risks
Nicotine vapes (also known as electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes) are handheld devices that heat a liquid— containing nicotine and flavourings—into a vapour that users inhale. Unlike traditional cigarettes, nicotine vapes do not burn tobacco, meaning they expose users to fewer harmful substances. However, vaping still carries risks and is more harmful than not vaping at all.
Many people start vaping to quit smoking but then may wish to quit vaping itself. Others, particularly young people who have never smoked, begin vaping and may face health risks or develop a dependency on nicotine, and hence wish to quit vaping.
Despite the growing number of people seeking to quit vaping, guidance on the best approaches is limited. According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2023 around 5.1 million people aged 16 or older in Great Britain (9.8%) reported using vapes daily or occasionally, with usage at 15.8% among 16- to 24-year-olds. Recognising the need for effective guidance, organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Physicians have prioritised research in this area.
Key findings from the study
The study found that programmes designed to deliver support via text messages may be effective for young people aged 13 to 24. The prescription medication varenicline, commonly used to help people stop smoking, was potentially effective for adults trying to quit vaping. However, due to issues including limited numbers of studies, the evidence supporting both approaches was low certainty and, the researchers explain, needs to be investigated further.
Co-lead author Dr Ailsa Butler from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford said:
'With the results of our Cochrane review, healthcare professionals now have initial evidence for specific approaches they can recommend, particularly for younger people wanting to quit vaping. However, we urgently need more research to explore these and other approaches.’
The need for further research
The authors emphasise that while these findings are promising, the small number of studies highlights the need for more robust research. Other studies included in the review examined the effectiveness of cytisine, another prescription medication used to help people quit smoking, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as patches or a gum. However, there was not enough information to draw conclusions about whether these interventions were effective in supporting people to quit vaping.
The researchers explain that future studies should explore additional interventions, assess their safety, and evaluate their long-term effectiveness in preventing relapse to vaping or smoking, and that many are in the pipeline. With support from Cancer Research UK, the team will continue to search for new evidence monthly, updating the study as more data become available.
Co-lead author Associate Professor Nicola Lindson, also from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, said:
‘We need more evidence on the best ways to help people quit vaping without increasing their risk of returning to smoking or starting to smoke for the first time. This review is a crucial first step, but we will continue to update it as new evidence emerges.’
Informing policy and practice
The study’s findings are expected to inform policy recommendations and help healthcare professionals and patients make informed decisions about quitting vaping. The researchers also call for further exploration of text-based interventions for different age groups and demographic profiles, as well as investigations into other potential methods.
Senior author Dr Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, added:
‘Filling these research gaps will provide the evidence base needed to guide policies and support individuals in making informed choices about quitting vaping. We hope this work will benefit healthcare providers and those seeking help to stop vaping.’
Read the full review 'Interventions for quitting vaping' in the Cochrane Library.