As the new year approaches and more Britons than ever find themselves hooked on vaping, a landmark study has identified two potentially effective methods for quitting: the anti-smoking pill varenicline and text message-based support programs. With an estimated one in ten UK adults now vaping, and around 8% of adult vapers having never smoked before, finding effective cessation tools has become increasingly important.
Varenicline and Text Support Stand Out in Review
A review of nine trials involving more than 5,000 participants, conducted by academics from the US and UK, found that the tablet varenicline (known as Champix) and text message-based interventions were the most effective in helping people quit vaping. While experts labeled these findings “important,” they cautioned that further research is necessary before widely recommending these methods.
Varenicline, first marketed in the UK by Pfizer in 2006, was withdrawn in 2021 due to elevated levels of a potentially cancer-causing compound. However, the drug, which triples the odds of quitting smoking, will soon be offered again on the NHS, manufactured by Teva UK.
Growing Interest in Vaping Cessation Research
Study senior author and assistant professor of health policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, noted the increasing demand for research on quitting vaping, saying, “This is an area of research that is in its infancy, but is growing rapidly and organically from people who vape asking about help to quit vaping.”
Dr. Ailsa Butler, study lead author and expert in public health policy at the University of Oxford, added, “With the results of our Cochrane review, healthcare professionals now have initial evidence for specific approaches they can recommend, particularly for younger people wanting to quit vaping. However, we urgently need more research to explore these and other approaches.”
Vaping Risks and Concerns
While e-cigarettes are generally considered safer than traditional cigarettes, they are not risk-free. E-cigarettes contain harmful toxins, and their long-term effects remain unknown. Experts worry that the high nicotine content might increase blood pressure and cause other heart problems, and there are concerns about potential future waves of lung disease, dental issues, and even cancer in those who took up vaping at a young age.
WHO Guidance on Vaping Cessation
In July, the World Health Organization (WHO) released world-first guidance on possible interventions to help people stop using tobacco products. The UN agency labeled the evidence around e-cigarettes as “complex” and stated that vapes cannot be recommended as a way to stop smoking due to insufficient knowledge about their harms and benefits.
As the vaping industry continues to evolve and more people seek ways to quit, studies like this one will play a crucial role in identifying effective cessation methods. While further research is needed, the findings on varenicline and text message support offer hope for those looking to kick the habit in the coming year.
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