Vaping Aids in Smoking Cessation: UCL Study Reveals

A recent study published by the scientific journal of addiction in England has discovered a positive correlation between the initiation of vaping and the cessation of smoking.

The Study and Its Findings

The research, led by University College London researchers and funded by Cancer Research UK, found a link between the success rates of quitting smoking and the use of e-cigarettes starting in 2011. Interestingly, in England, the number of smokers using e-cigarettes plateaued about four years ago, as did the success rate of quitting smoking.

The Impact of Vaping on Smoking Cessation

The data led researchers to conclude that in 2017, for instance, between 50,700 to 69,930 smokers were able to quit smoking due to vaping, and likely would not have been able to quit otherwise.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Emma Beard, the senior research associate at UCL and the lead author of the study, explained that the study is simply further evidence that vaping can aid smokers in quitting. Dr Beard states: “This study builds on population surveys and clinical trials that find e-cigarettes can help smokers stop. England seems to have found a sensible balance between regulation and promotion of e-cigarettes. Millions of smokers are using them to try to stop smoking or to cut down the amount they smoke”

George Butterworth, a senior policy manager at Cancer Research UK, has stated that “research shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco and can help people to stop smoking. So it’s good that over 50,000 people managed to give up in 2017”

The Right Approach to Vaping and E-Cigarette Regulations

It appears that England has struck the right balance when it comes to vaping and e-cigarette rules and regulations. By using funding from the cancer society to fund research such as this, it opens up new and exciting information about the real-world benefits of seeing over 50,000 smokers starting vaping and quitting smoking, converting to what Mr Butterworth calls a “less harmful” alternative.

You can view the complete study HERE.