Vaping won't help you quit smoking, experts say
Smokers hoping to quit by switching to e-cigarettes are unlikely to succeed, according to the latest findings from the independent Dutch medical journal Geneesmiddelenbulletin (Ge-Bu). The publication states that vaping does little to increase the chances of quitting smoking and often leads to long-term e-cigarette use instead.
“The use of nicotine-containing vapes as a smoking cessation tool primarily increases the likelihood of prolonged vaping, while the probability of successfully quitting smoking remains low,” the journal reports, summarizing findings from multiple scientific studies.
Every year, one in three smokers attempts to quit, but only 6 percent manage to remain smoke-free for at least six months without assistance. According to Geneesmiddelenbulletin, education and professional support remain the most effective tools for smoking cessation.
“Counseling and guidance should be the first choice in supporting smokers who want to quit,” the journal states. Despite the growing popularity of vaping, it emphasizes that the effectiveness of nicotine-free vapes is virtually nonexistent.
Research cited by Geneesmiddelenbulletin indicates that nicotine-containing vapes can help 14 percent of smokers quit, but their success rate is no higher than that of pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapies. The study also found that two commonly prescribed smoking cessation medications achieve similar results.
A key issue with vaping is that users often continue the habit indefinitely rather than using it as a temporary aid. A British study found that 80 percent of smokers who switched to vapes intending to quit continued using e-cigarettes a year later. Some participants even returned to smoking traditional cigarettes while still vaping, effectively increasing their overall nicotine consumption.
There is little scientific evidence to support claims that vaping is significantly less harmful than traditional smoking. While some researchers argue that e-cigarettes reduce exposure to harmful tobacco chemicals, Geneesmiddelenbulletin warns that the long-term health effects remain largely unknown.
“There is insufficient quantitative evidence regarding the long-term risks of vaping. However, there can be no doubt that vapes pose a significant health risk,” the journal states.
In December, Dutch State Secretary for Public Health Vincent Karremans urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s vaping habits. Concerns over youth vaping have been rising, particularly as cases of lung damage linked to e-cigarette use continue to emerge.
A recent report from Dutch hospitals included accounts from doctors treating young patients with severe respiratory issues caused by vaping. “He was coughing up large amounts of blood. We had to act immediately,” one physician stated, recalling the case of a teenager admitted with acute lung problems.
