A new clinical trial suggests vaping flavoured nicotine liquids is significantly more effective at helping smokers quit than using traditional nicotine gum or lozenges.The Australian study found smokers trying to quit were three times more likely to succeed after six months if they used vaping devices instead of the other traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRT). Researchers reported the findings on July 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.More than 1,000 Australians receiving government assistance participated in the study. All participants wanted to quit smoking. Researchers randomly assigned them to one of two groups. .One group received an eight week supply of flavoured vape liquid, choosing from tobacco, menthol, or fruit flavours. The other group got an eight week supply of either nicotine gum or lozenges. Everyone also received five weeks of automated text messages offering behavioural support for quitting smoking.After six months, the results were significant. More than 28% of people using the vape devices had completely stopped smoking. Comparing to just under 10% of those using nicotine gum or lozenges had successfully quit..“Vaporized nicotine products were more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation,” wrote the research team. The lead researcher was Ryan Courtney, an associate professor at the University of New South Wales National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. The team concluded that flavoured vaping products worked better than the gum or lozenges, even with minimal text support, especially among people facing social disadvantages.“In the current trial among people experiencing social disadvantage, vaporized nicotine products with flavor choice had greater effectiveness compared with nicotine replacement therapy gum or lozenge when provided in combination with minimal text message behavioral support,” said the researchers.However, the researchers noted important limitations. More study is needed to confirm whether people stay smoke free over the long term while using vapes. .They also stressed that it remains unclear if switching to vaping simply trades one health risk for another.“Although current evidence suggests switching completely from cigarette smoking to (vaping) reduces health risks, the long-term health effects of vaping are largely unknown and data are emerging that demonstrate vaping can impact cardiovascular health,” the researchers wrote. They added that emerging data shows vaping can still affect heart health.This research comes amidst restrictions on flavoured vapes in places like the United States. The US government has severely limited legal sales of flavoured tobacco products, and some states such as California do not allow any flavoured vaping liquids.Despite this, kid friendly flavours like fruit, menthol, and dessert remain widely available illegally, contributing to a surge in vape sales according to reports.
