A new study published in the journal Addiction has found that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective for smoking cessation than conventional methods such as nicotine patches or gum.
Researchers at University of Oxford conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis, concluding that the evidence consistently supports e-cigarettes as a successful aid for quitting smoking.
According to a 2024 review, an additional two to five people out of every 100 successfully quit smoking when using e-cigarettes compared to other nicotine replacement therapies.
While not entirely risk-free, switching from combustible tobacco to e-cigarettes significantly reduces exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
In this regard, Angela Difeng Wu, senior researcher and lecturer at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, stated that the findings aim to settle ongoing debate. “We hope this overview and Evidence and Gap Map can lay to rest some claims that evidence is mixed regarding the impacts of nicotine e-cigarettes on smoking abstinence,” she said.
Despite reduced toxin exposure compared to traditional cigarettes, concerns remain. A February 2026 study confirmed that users of e-cigarettes are still exposed to carcinogenic chemicals.
As these products are relatively new and continuously evolving, their long-term health effects remain uncertain.
The Oxford review also highlighted that current data on serious health complications is insufficient, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about long-term risks.
The World Health Organization continues to raise concerns, warning that e-cigarettes may be fueling nicotine addiction among young people and reversing progress in global tobacco control efforts. Estimates for 2025 suggest there are more than 100 million e-cigarette users worldwide, including approximately 15 million children aged 13 to 15.
Ongoing scientific uncertainty and public health debates continue to challenge policymakers and healthcare professionals in shaping regulations and clinical guidance.
