Effective strategies for quitting vaping: what science says

A new study co-led by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has identified promising strategies to help people quit vaping.

Published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the findings suggest that prescription medication varenicline and text message-based support programs may be effective tools for those looking to stop vaping.

According to Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, senior author of the study and assistant professor of health policy and management at UMass Amherst, this area of research is still in its early stages but growing rapidly.

“People who vape are increasingly seeking help to quit, and this study is a step toward understanding what strategies might work best,” Hartmann-Boyce explained.

Why Quitting Vaping Matters

Vaping, or using e-cigarettes, is often promoted as a less harmful alternative to smoking, and research has shown that e-cigarettes are more effective at helping people quit smoking than traditional nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gum.

However, not all e-cigarette users start as smokers. Many young people, particularly those who have never smoked, take up vaping and may develop nicotine dependency or face potential health risks. For this group, quitting vaping has become a priority.

Hartmann-Boyce highlighted another group of individuals who use vaping to transition away from smoking. For them, quitting vaping is equally important, as they seek to avoid relapsing into cigarette use. Addressing the needs of these diverse groups is a key focus of the research.

Insights from the Study

The study reviewed nine randomized trials involving more than 5,000 participants. It examined the effectiveness of various interventions to help people quit vaping, many of which were adapted from strategies used to help smokers quit. The researchers found two approaches that showed potential:

Text Message Support: Programs delivering motivational messages, tips, and content about social norms seem particularly effective for younger individuals aged 13 to 24. These messages provide ongoing encouragement and practical advice, helping users stay motivated and resist the urge to vape.
Varenicline: This prescription medication, widely used to help people stop smoking, showed promise in helping adults quit vaping. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in this context.

Despite these findings, the researchers caution that the evidence supporting these strategies is still limited. “This is a really early area of research,” Hartmann-Boyce noted, emphasizing the need for more studies to strengthen the evidence base.

The Need for More Research

Co-lead author Ailsa Butler from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences underscored the urgency of further investigation.

“While our findings provide initial evidence for healthcare professionals to recommend specific approaches, we need more research to explore these and other methods,” Butler said.

For young people, text-based interventions appear particularly promising, but it remains unclear whether this approach will work for other populations. Meanwhile, varenicline’s potential for adults requires further validation through additional trials.

A Living Systematic Review

The research team is committed to keeping the findings up-to-date through a “living, systematic review.” This means they will continually search for new studies and incorporate fresh evidence as it becomes available.

“This is an evolving field,” Hartmann-Boyce said. “We’ll keep updating the review monthly because it’s crucial to stay on top of the latest developments.”

What This Means for People Who Want to Quit Vaping

For now, the study provides some guidance for individuals looking to quit vaping and for healthcare professionals supporting them.

Text-message programs offer a practical and accessible option for younger users, while varenicline may help adults. However, given the limited evidence, anyone trying to quit vaping is encouraged to discuss their options with a healthcare provider.

In summary, while quitting vaping presents unique challenges, the study highlights early strategies that may make the process more manageable. As research continues, these tools could become more refined and effective, offering hope to millions seeking to break free from vaping.

If you care about smoking, please read studies about smoking may increase heart disease risk by 200% and e-cigarette smoke may cause lung cancer and bladder disease.

For more health information, please see recent studies about the cause of weight gain after smoking cessation, and results showing smoking may cause white scars on the brain.

The research findings can be found in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.