Keen to give up the cigs forever? Then you might want to go and get yourself some eliquid and start vaping away, given new research revealing that using an ecigarette is nearly twice as effective as nicotine replacements for helping you to quit.
Carried out by researchers from Queen Mary University of London, the study found that 18 per cent of smokers who used ecigs to quit stayed smoke-free after 12 months, compared to 9.9 per cent of people who chose to use nicotine replacement treatments, the BBC reports.
Professor Peter Hajek, lead researcher on the project, had this to say about the results: “Although a large number of smokers report that they have quit smoking successfully with the help of e-cigarettes, health professionals have been reluctant to recommend their use because of the lack of clear evidence from randomised controlled trials. This is now likely to change.”
He went on to say that he hopes the findings will lead to smoking cessation services offering people their own ecig starter packs, as well as guidance on how to vape, at which point they can then start paying for their own supplies.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study also revealed that as well as having higher rates of quitting, more ecig users reduced the amount they smoke by at least 50 per cent.
Co-author Dunja Przulj, also from Queen Mary University of London, made further comments, saying that if quitting services do start offering vaping as an option, it could well have the knock-on effect of accelerating a drop in smoking, as well as smoking-related diseases.
If you are trying to quit, it’s perhaps worth noting, however, that if you do start vaping and are still smoking, the associated health benefits will be relatively limited.
A recent study by the Roswell Park Cancer Centre, reported on by the Daily Mail, found that this is because you’re still inhaling toxic chemicals which will linger in the body, even if you have cut down on smoking cigarettes through the use of a vape pen.
Author of the report Maciej Goniewicz explained that it was actually surprising how many people smoke both cigarettes and vape pens, but in order to get the full benefits of making the switch, you do need to cut out traditional cigarettes completely.
Office for National Statistics figures show that 48.8 per cent of people who do vape choose to do so in order to help them quit, so as such it’s essential that they understand the implications of lighting up cigarettes while vaping at the same time.
If you want to start vaping but are a bit confused by all the technical jargon, come and see us at one of our Greater Manchester-based stores today and we’ll be able to help you start your smoke-free life today.