Vaping beats traditional tools for quitting smoking
A review of studies suggests nicotine vapes are more effective for smoking cessation than traditional nicotine replacement therapies, but safety concerns remain.Summary
A comprehensive review of 14 systematic reviews and 109 studies indicates that nicotine e-cigarettes (vapes) may be more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like patches and gum in helping people quit smoking. Meta-analyses showed a 17-67% increase in cessation risk with nicotine vapes compared to NRT. Combining nicotine vapes with NRT also showed greater efficacy than NRT alone. Nicotine vaping also outperformed placebo and behavioral support. However, the review highlights statistical uncertainties, publication bias, and methodological flaws in some studies. Evidence gaps remain regarding comparisons with other cessation drugs like cytisine and bupropion, as well as long-term physiological outcomes. While adverse events weren't consistently increased compared to NRT or placebo, more research is needed to fully assess the safety of vaping, particularly in diverse socioeconomic and geographic populations.
(Source：News-Medical.net)
