E-cigarettes are more effective than nicotine replacement treatments in helping smokers quit

886 smokers were randomly allocated to receiving nicotine replacement treatments (NRT) of their choice (mostly nicotine skin patches combined with nicotine inhalator or mouth spray) for up to three months, or a starter pack of a refillable e-cigarette and two bottles of e-liquid with instructions to buy further e-liquid supplies of the strength and flavour of their choice themselves.

Smokers using e-cigarettes had less urges to smoke and were finding quitting easier. At one year, 18% stopped smoking in the e-cigarette group compared to 9.9% in the NRT group (17.7% vs 8% when participants using unallocated product were excluded). An additional 13% reduced smoking by over 50% in the e-cigarette group compared to 7% in the NRT group.

Most of the successful quitters in the e-cigarette group continued to use EC (80%).

Unexpectedly, using e-cigarettes seems to have reduced coughing and producing phlegm. Chemicals in e-cigarette aerosol (propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol) are known to kill bacteria and viruses. It is possible that vaping protects users from airborne infections, but more data are needed to verify this.

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