Researchers have discovered a new method to help people quit vaping effectively.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Oxford has provided insights into developing effective strategies for quitting vaping. The scientists discovered a successful method to assist individuals in breaking a habit that has recently been viewed as a less harmful alternative to smoking, despite numerous studies indicating otherwise, reports University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The research, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, identified varenicline, a prescription medication typically used to aid smoking cessation, and text message-based interventions as promising tools for those looking to quit vaping. Despite the study's successes, the authors caution that the evidence supporting these methods remains limited, highlighting the need for more comprehensive research.

Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Department of Health Policy and Management and the senior author of the study, explains the evolving nature of vaping cessation research. "This is a nascent area of research that is rapidly and organically developing due to individuals who vape and seek help to quit," she noted.

Hartmann-Boyce emphasized that there are two challenges: addressing addiction in those who began vaping without prior smoking experience and supporting individuals who used vaping as a means to quit smoking but now wish to stop without reverting to tobacco.

The study analyzed nine randomized trials involving over 5,000 participants aimed at assessing tools designed to assist with vaping cessation. Text message-based interventions were found to be particularly effective for young people aged 13 to 24, combining motivational content with social norms and practical advice. At the same time, varenicline showed potential in helping adults quit smoking. However, researchers highlighted that the existing data, based on a limited number of studies, has low reliability and requires further validation.

Nicola Lindson and Ailsa Butler, co-authors of the study from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, stressed the need for ongoing research to refine and explore additional smoking cessation methods. "Thanks to the results of our Cochrane review, healthcare providers now have initial data on specific approaches they can recommend, especially for young people wanting to quit vaping," Butler stated, calling for increased investment in this area.

Cochrane reviews have previously highlighted the greater effectiveness of e-cigarettes compared to traditional nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum, in smoking cessation. However, the unique challenges associated with vaping addiction, particularly among young people who have never smoked, require targeted measures, according to the authors.

Hartmann-Boyce characterized the research as a "living systematic review," where the team actively updates the findings to keep pace with emerging evidence.

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