Vaping – Effectiveness as a cessation tool: evidence briefing

Policy implications

While evidence on the effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation tool is limited, the Scottish Government has adopted a proportionate approach aimed at balancing the benefits of reducing health harms among smokers with the risks involved in promoting the use of vaping products (e.g. uptake in non-smokers and dual use of vaping and conventional tobacco products).

It should be noted that this is a developing area of research and that it may take some years until we can rely on robust evidence on the role played by vaping in quitting attempts. The Scottish Government will continue to consider any new evidence encountered on the matter.