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Researchers at the University of California San Diego Challenge the Effectiveness of E-Cigarettes as a Quitting Aid
A new study from the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego has found that vaping, especially daily vaping, does not assist smokers in quitting and is instead linked to lower tobacco abstinence rates.
Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study refutes the widely held belief that e-cigarettes serve as an effective smoking cessation tool.
Study Findings
The study analyzed data from over 6,000 U.S. smokers through the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, a nationally representative sample. Among the 943 smokers who also vaped, researchers matched and compared them with similar smokers who did not vape. The results were revealing:
- Smoking cessation rates were 4.1% lower among daily vapers compared to non-vapers.
- Non-daily vapers had an even lower smoking cessation rate—5.3% lower—compared to non-vapers.
“Most smokers think vaping will help them quit smoking,” said study co-author John P. Pierce, Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health. “However, this belief is not supported by scientific evidence to date.”
The study accounted for several key variables that influence quitting success, including smoking frequency, interest in quitting, household smoking restrictions, and socioeconomic factors. According to the researchers, prior studies failing to control for such factors may have contributed to misconceptions about vaping as a cessation aid.
The Misconceptions and Risks of Vaping
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 20% of people in the U.S. use tobacco products, with many transitioning to e-cigarettes under the impression that they are safer alternatives. However, the study highlights that while vaping lacks the same harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, its long-term health effects remain uncertain.
“The adverse health effects of cigarette smoking typically become apparent after two decades,” said Pierce. “While vapes don’t contain the same toxic chemicals, we don’t yet know the consequences of vaping over 20 to 30 years.”
The findings also raise concerns about e-cigarette marketing, particularly its appeal to adolescents. Researchers warn that vaping could serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction among young users rather than a tool to quit smoking.
Public Health Implications
Study co-author Karen Messer, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of evidence-based tobacco policies.
“As the public health community continues to address tobacco control, we must rely on rigorous scientific evidence,” Messer said. “Misleading associations between vaping and smoking cessation persist unless confounding factors are carefully considered.”
First author Natalie Quach, a Ph.D. student in biostatistics, added, “There’s still a lot we don’t know about vaping, but what we do know is that the idea that it helps people quit smoking isn’t actually true. Instead, it keeps them addicted to nicotine.”
The study’s findings challenge common perceptions of e-cigarettes and highlight the need for continued research on vaping’s long-term health effects.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals for guidance on smoking cessation and tobacco use.
