New research has found that e-cigarettes are an effective method to help quit smoking, with scientists concluding that the devices successfully reduced cravings with minimal side effects.
The eight month study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health followed 48 smokers who were trying to quit and compared individuals given e-cigs with those relying on willpower alone.
Among the smokers given e-cigarettes 21 per cent stopped smoking tobacco entirely while an additional 23 per cent reported cutting their consumption in half. This compares well to smokers using only willpower, only 3 to 5 per cent of whom remained smoke-free.
“All the groups showed similar results after we introduced the e-cigs,” said lead researcher, Professor Frank Baeyens in a statement.
“With guidance on practical use, the nicotine e-cig offers many smokers a successful alternative for smoking less – or even quitting altogether. E-cig users get the experience of smoking a cigarette and inhale nicotine vapor, but do not suffer the damaging effects of a tobacco cigarette.”
