Vapes more effective for smoking cessation than nicotine gum and lozenges: Study

Researchers from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney, AU and colleagues conducted a two-group, open-label RCT of 1,045 low-SES participants in New South Wales, AU between March 30, 2021 and December 8, 2022. Eligible participants smoked daily, were aged 18 years and over, were willing to make a quit attempt within two weeks of screening and were receiving a government pension or allowance (indicator of low-SES).

They were randomly assigned to the VNP or NRT group in a 1:1 ratio. The NRT group had the choice of receiving 8 weeks’ supply of either nicotine gum or lozenges, and the VNP group received 8 weeks’ supply of nicotine e-liquid to use in either a tank device or a pod device. VNP participants could receive the e-liquid in tobacco, menthol, and fruit flavors. All participants received behavioral support via automated text messages for five weeks.

The primary outcome was six-month continuous abstinence from smoking. The researchers found that the six-month continuous abstinence was 9.6% in the NRT group and 28.4% in the VNP group. Subgroup analyses of age, sex, nicotine dependence and mental illness also found that VNP was more effective than NRT. The results suggest VNPs may have a role in promoting smoking abstinence among groups experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, as well as the general population.

Reference:

Ryan J. Courtney, Bridget C. Howard, Daniel Barker, et al. Vaporized Nicotine Products for Smoking Cessation Among People Experiencing Social Disadvantage: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Ann Intern Med. [Epub 15 July 2025]. doi:10.7326/ANNALS-24-03531