Vaping devices containing nicotine have emerged as a more effective tool for quitting smoking compared to traditional nicotine lozenges and gum, particularly among adults facing social disadvantages. This finding comes from a recent clinical trial conducted by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney, and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. However, the study also highlights that nearly 60% of those who quit smoking continue to vape, raising questions about the long-term safety of vaping.
The research underscores a significant challenge: while Australia boasts one of the lowest smoking rates globally, with only 8.8% of adults smoking daily, socially disadvantaged groups smoke at a rate three times higher than their more advantaged counterparts. These individuals are just as motivated to quit but face greater difficulties, resulting in severe health and social impacts from tobacco use.
Clinical Trial Highlights Vaping’s Effectiveness
Associate Professor Ryan Courtney, the lead researcher and Head of the Tobacco Research Group at NDARC, emphasized the potential of vaping as a cessation tool. “Vapes are not a magic cure, but they are a promising treatment option that leads to higher quit rates than nicotine gum or lozenges for those experiencing social disadvantage,” he stated. For many smokers, existing treatments have proven insufficient, necessitating new approaches to boost quit rates.
The trial involved over 1,000 daily smokers who were open to quitting and were receiving government pensions or allowances, indicating social disadvantage. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an eight-week supply of vaping devices with flavored e-liquids or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of lozenges or gum.
Vaping Shows Higher Quit Rates
After six months, the study revealed that continuous verified quit rates were significantly higher in the vaping group at 28.4%, compared to just 9.6% in the NRT group.
“Even after accounting for individual differences within a socially disadvantaged sample, our analysis found quit rates were superior for the vaping group compared to NRT irrespective of age, gender, nicotine dependence, and recent diagnosis or treatment for mental health disorder,” said A/Prof. Courtney.
The study’s design, which offered participants a choice of vaping device and flavor, was a crucial factor in its success. “We believe treatment choice in the vaping group, with the option of two different device types and three e-liquid flavors, paired with an encouraging and non-judgemental text messaging program, supported people to quit smoking and contributed to high abstinence rates,” A/Prof. Courtney added.
Challenges and Future Considerations
Despite the promising results, the study also identified new challenges for health professionals and organizations supporting smoking cessation. A significant portion of participants who quit smoking continued to vape, highlighting the need for ongoing support to help them eventually stop vaping as well.
“The trial findings consolidate our understanding of vaping products’ role in smoking cessation, and the research findings illustrate that for some who have managed to quit, they may need support to stay vape-free in the longer term,” said A/Prof. Courtney.
He further advised that individuals who switch from smoking to vaping should aim to quit vaping once they feel confident in their ability to avoid relapsing into smoking, given the unknown long-term health effects of vaping. “It’s never too late to quit, and vaping products are a further tool in the tobacco treatment toolbox, but more work is needed to support general practitioners, pharmacists, and Quitlines when providing patient care regarding vapes,” he concluded.
Expert Opinions and Broader Implications
Professor Nicholas Zwar, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Smoking Cessation Guidelines, echoed the study’s significance. He noted that nicotine vaping should be considered for individuals who have not succeeded with approved therapies like NRT.
“This study is also important as it used nicotine pod devices, which are the most widely prescribed in Australia due to their low risk of accidental or intentional poisoning,” said Prof. Zwar, who co-authored the study.
The findings add to the growing body of evidence supporting vaping as an effective smoking cessation aid, particularly for those who have struggled with conventional methods. As the debate over vaping continues, this research highlights the need for nuanced approaches to smoking cessation that consider individual circumstances and preferences.
As health authorities and policymakers grapple with the implications of these findings, the focus will likely shift to developing comprehensive strategies that address both the benefits and potential risks associated with vaping as a smoking cessation tool.
