Landmark Global Review Confirms Nicotine E-Cigarettes Help More Smokers Quit Than Traditional Therapies

Nairobi, Kenya - A landmark global review of evidence on smoking cessation confirms that nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are more effective at helping smokers quit than traditional nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum. The Cochrane Review, titled "Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation," analyzed data from 80 studies involving 29,861 smokers.

The high certainty evidence suggests that nicotine e-cigarettes are more successful in helping people quit smoking for at least six months compared to traditional therapies. While nicotine e-cigarettes may also be more effective than e-cigarettes without nicotine or behavioral support alone, the evidence for these comparisons is less certain.

Serious adverse events associated with nicotine e-cigarettes used for smoking cessation are uncommon, with most reported side effects being mild and temporary. The review was conducted by Cochrane, an independent research network renowned for producing trusted assessments of healthcare interventions. As Kenya considers proposals that could shape the future regulation of nicotine products, including vapes and nicotine pouches, the review's findings add to growing evidence supporting the use of nicotine e-cigarettes in helping adult smokers quit traditional tobacco products.