Vaping can be a very good support for smokers to quit smoking. And there is also great potential for harm reduction with e-cigarettes. This is shown by two new studies from Germany and Switzerland. Experts from the UK see this as confirmation of the scientific evidence on e-cigarettes.

1. Lung specialists from the University of Witten/Herdecke (Germany) have published a large comparative study in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology. The study examined 648 studies on e-cigarettes. Title: “Comparative systematic review on the safety of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes“.

Quotes:

• “The reviewed studies consistently suggest that e-cigarettes may offer a less harmful alternative for adult smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking.“

• “The reduction in harmful toxicants generated by e-cigarettes compared to the vast array of harmful substances produced by burning tobacco is a promising aspect of harm reduction.“

2. A study from Switzerland with 1246 participants published today in the New England Journal of Medicine is entitled: “Electronic Nicotine-Delivery Systems for Smoking Cessation“. See also an article in the Swiss Tagesspiegel.

Expert reactions to the study in the Science Media Center UK:

Dr Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst:

• “This new study is a well-conducted, independent and robust randomized controlled trial, and clearly shows that nicotine e-cigarettes can help people to stop smoking. It adds to a strong and consistent body of evidence supporting the use of nicotine e-cigarettes as a stop smoking aid.“

Dr. Sarah Jackson, Principal Research Fellow, UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, University College London (UCL):

• “These findings should provide further reassurance to people who smoke and healthcare professionals that e-cigarettes can be used as an effective tool for stopping smoking without substantial risks to health.“

Prof Lion Shahab, Professor of Health Psychology and Co-Director of the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, University College London (UCL):

• “This study adds to the growing number of high-quality trials showing that e-cigarettes are an effective smoking cessation aid, nearly doubling cessation rates compared with existing treatment.“

Dustin Dahlmann, President of IEVA:

• “There is large evidence that vaping helps people to stop smoking. These new studies show what opportunities smokers have by switching to e-cigarettes. We appeal to health policy makers and doctors to recommend the significantly less harmful vaping to smokers as a good method to stop harmful smoking.“