A lot of research has gone into finding the most effective smoking cessation products. There have been several debates and disagreements over the years about one method in particular. However, a major UK NIHR funded clinical trial from 2019 suggests that vaping may be the most effective tool for those looking to quit smoking. So, is vaping better than Nicotine Replacement Therapy for helping smokers to quit?
Over the years, there has been growing evidence that e-cigarettes are a useful aid for smokers looking to quit. Reports published by RSPH, Public Health England, and the Government, have produced convincing statistics that show just how effective vaping products can be.
According to the gov.co.uk article, in England in 2020, e-cigarettes were the most popular tool to quit smoking. The Public Health England report found that 27.2% smokers trying to quit used a vaping product. At this time 2.7 million adults in the UK used e-cigarettes and 16% of people in the UK were smokers. And, while the number of vapers in the UK has increased significantly, there has been an exponential decrease in the number of smokers.
Government statistics found that in 2021, between 6.9% and 7.1% of adults in the UK vape (this roughly equates to 3.2 million). Yet, according to the Local Tobacco Control profile for England, adult smoking prevalence in 2021 was 13.0%. This is a reduction from the 13.8% of adults who smoked in 2020. The number has been reportedly on a downward spiral since 2011. The correlation between the increase in vapers and the decrease in smokers each year, clearly suggests that vaping has allowed many people to successfully quit smoking tobacco cigarettes.
Furthermore, government statistics have noted that in Stop Smoking services, quit attempts involving e-cigarettes had the highest success rates with 64.9% successful quits compared to the 58.6% quit attempts using other methods.
So, why does this lead us to believe that vaping is better than nicotine replacement products as a smoking cessation tool? If we compare the statistics and success rates for smokers using nicotine replacement products, they suggest that NRT might not be quite as effective.
A randomised study in 2019 concluded that 18.0% of the people given vaping products to kick their tobacco habit remained abstinent for one year, as opposed to the 9.9% who remained abstinent for one year after using nicotine replacement therapy. The study presents a crucial point. Quitting is only one half of the battle; sustaining abstinence is the other. Nicotine replacement therapy allows smokers to control their nicotine cravings. However, other addictive qualities come with smoking that can only be replicated by e-cigarettes.
The actions of holding a cigarette, or inhaling the smoke can become just as much a craving as anything else. The social element of smoking is also something that cannot be imitated with nicotine replacement therapy. Vape kits may be able to aid smokers to quit for longer periods of time as they feel – and sometimes look – similar to the real thing. They allow smokers to carry out similar rituals. The difference is that vapes do not contain a lot of the carcinogens that are present in traditional cigarettes. According to Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, “research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.”
E-cigarettes contain e-liquid, which is produced into vapour and inhaled. E-liquid comes in a variety of different flavours and nicotine strengths, giving vapers options. Depending on the vg/pg content in the e-liquid, e-cigarettes also provide a satisfying throat hit to mimic that of a real cigarette. These are facets that nicotine replacement therapy cannot recreate. This may be why research is showing that vaping is surpassing NRT.
Supporting the research, experts have come forward to suggest that vaping might be better than nicotine replacement therapy for people trying to quit cigarettes. According to Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at PHE, 50,000 people managed to quit smoking in 2020 with the aid of vape products. He stated that for anyone who smokes “particularly those who have already tried other methods, we strongly recommend they try vaping and stop smoking.”
The general consensus among experts is that, although vaping is not risk free, from what we know, it is safer than smoking cigarettes. Many are urging those who are trying to quit smoking, or have tried before and been unsuccessful, to try vaping due to its rising success as a smoking cessation method. However, anyone with heart or lung conditions is advised to avoid both smoking and vaping.
Ultimately, it can be deduced from the research conducted by the experts, that vaping is better than nicotine replacement therapy for helping people to kick their smoking habit successfully. However, we can not claim that it is a guaranteed solution. Vaping has proved to have a lot of potential as a smoking cessation device and experts have recommended it, but everybody is different. What works for one might not work for another.
It is also important to note that neither we nor the experts recommend vaping for those who do not already smoke. We do not know the long term effects of vaping just yet. All we know is that they have been confirmed to be 95% less harmful than smoking. The UK executive for Cancer Research makes the point that, “the long term effects of e-cigarettes are unknown, but the long term harms of tobacco are indisputable.”
What we do suggest, is to conduct as much of your own research as possible to get the best solution for yourself. Whether that means vaping or nicotine replacement therapy, your journey is your own. However, there are many Stop Smoking Services offering support and advice.
SMKD is committed to helping smokers quit and transition to a healthier lifestyle. Whether you prefer to walk into one of our stores for personalised advice, call us to chat about your options, or seek assistance via e-mail, our team is readily available to guide you through your quitting journey. We understand that everyone’s needs are unique, and that’s why we offer multi-channel support to provide the information and products that are best suited for you. Let SMKD be your trusted partner in achieving a smoke-free life.
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