Vaping – Effectiveness as a cessation tool: evidence briefing

Key findings

Although existing evidence is still limited, the systematic reviews and meta-analyses examined for this briefing suggest that vaping products can serve as an effective tool for smoking cessation. The sources highlighted that:

• There are limitations in the existing primary studies including: small sample sizes; lack of robust longitudinal studies; risk of bias; small number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), often with low event rates^[1]; short follow ups; limited range of treatment comparisons; failure to measure motivation to quit; and use of outdated vaping products.
• There is a need for more long-term, large-scale studies, which account for the effect of newer types of vaping products, assess the effectiveness of vaping products in relation to all existing options, look at use patterns and investigate the risk of relapse.