{"id":35006,"date":"2026-03-09T10:11:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T10:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/?p=35006"},"modified":"2026-03-09T10:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T10:11:09","slug":"uk-addiction-doctors-back-vapes-as-a-stop-smoking-option-in-new-clinical-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/post\/uk-addiction-doctors-back-vapes-as-a-stop-smoking-option-in-new-clinical-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"UK addiction doctors back vapes as a stop-smoking option in new clinical guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"clear-before-content-2\" style=\"margin-top: 20px;margin-bottom: 20px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" id=\"clear-1918543605\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.broughton-group.com\/nicotine?utm_campaign=43296353-Clearing%20the%20Air%20PPC%20Campaign%20-%202026&#038;utm_source=ppc&#038;utm_medium=Paid%20Ads\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" aria-label=\"728 x 90 (2)\"><img src=\"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2.png\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2.png 728w, https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2-300x37.png 300w, https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2-370x46.png 370w, https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2-600x74.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The guideline states there is \u201chigh-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes improve quit rates versus NRT\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It says public health bodies agree that \u201cregulated e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking and effective for quitting in dependent smokers, with minimal risk to bystanders\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A large network meta-analysis found nicotine vapes were \u201cassociated with the greatest chances of quitting tobacco smoking at six months or longer\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The stated primary goal of treatment is \u201cpermanent smoking cessation\u201d<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UK addiction specialists have formally endorsed vapes as an effective stop-smoking aid in new clinical guidelines on the pharmacological management of substance dependence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/41731947\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">evidence-based consensus guideline<\/a>, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, reviews the latest research on treatments for nicotine and other substance dependence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It brings together international experts, including UK clinicians, to produce \u201cup-to-date, evidence-based recommendations covering the pharmacological management of substance dependence\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to smoking, the document states that quitting tobacco remains the central aim. \u201cThe primary goal of treatment is permanent smoking cessation,\u201d it says. It adds that \u201cAn abstinent period of six months or longer is considered a marker of success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the route to that goal can include harm reduction &#8211; and that is where vapes feature prominently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>High-certainty evidence on quitting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the section on harm reduction, the guideline defines vapes as devices that \u201cheat a liquid to produce an inhalable aerosol to deliver nicotine without tobacco combustion and are widely used in quit attempts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It cites a major <a href=\"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/post\/vapes-more-effective-than-other-quit-smoking-aids-landmark-cochrane-review-finds\/\">Cochrane review<\/a> of 90 studies, including 27 randomised controlled trials involving more than 13,000 participants. The finding is there is \u201chigh-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes improve quit rates versus NRT (RR 1.63) or non-nicotine e-cigarettes (RR 1.94)\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, nicotine vapes outperform traditional nicotine replacement therapy such as patches or gum, as well as non-nicotine devices, when it comes to helping smokers quit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guideline goes further, referencing a large component network meta-analysis of 332 RCTs involving 157,179 participants. This analysis found that \u201cNicotine e-cigarettes, varenicline and cytisine were associated with the greatest chances of quitting tobacco smoking at six months or longer, with no clear evidence of a difference in effectiveness between the three.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That places vapes alongside the most effective licensed stop-smoking medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Less harmful than smoking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The document also addresses relative risk. Drawing on multiple reviews, it states: \u201cBased on multiple reviews, public health bodies agree that regulated e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking and effective for quitting in dependent smokers, with minimal risk to bystanders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It adds an important caveat, that \u201cAny smoking is harmful, so people who smoke and vape concurrently should be encouraged to stop smoking entirely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For people who have never smoked, the advice is: \u201cThose who have never smoked should avoid starting either.\u201d But for smokers considering switching, the guideline says: \u201cIf someone chooses to start using nicotine, e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It acknowledges uncertainty about long-term effects but notes that \u201cbiomarker studies suggest far lower risk than cigarettes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supporting smokers to switch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guideline includes practical advice for clinicians helping smokers transition away from combustible tobacco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTransitioning from smoking tobacco to vaping nicotine involves selecting a suitable nicotine strength, flavour, and propylene glycol\/vegetable glycerine ratio to manage cravings and support cessation,\u201d it explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also notes that \u201cFlavour variety can help initiate switching, and non-tobacco flavours are associated with higher quit success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the UK and EU, nicotine concentration is regulated. It says: \u201cIn the UK, EU, and some other countries, e-liquids are capped at 20 mg\/mL nicotine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Side effects are acknowledged but described as generally mild. \u201cSide effects such as throat irritation, cough and nausea are common but usually mild and short-lived,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guideline also highlights an important pharmacological distinction &#8211; while smoking induces certain liver enzymes because of exposure to toxic compounds in smoke, \u201cNRT, e-cigarettes, and other non-combustible products do not induce CYPIA2.\u201d That difference can be clinically relevant for patients taking medicines affected by smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tackling misconceptions about nicotine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The authors point to a persistent barrier to quitting &#8211; confusion about nicotine itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMisconceptions about nicotine\u2019s harm remain a barrier to treatment uptake,\u201d the guideline says. It adds: \u201cClinicians play a key role in correcting these beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nicotine replacement therapy is described as delivering nicotine \u201cslowly and at lower peak levels, with minimal risk, even with long-term use.\u201d Vapes and oral nicotine pouches \u201cdeliver nicotine more efficiently than NRT, and depending on dose and duration of use, comparable levels to tobacco cigarettes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the central distinction remains combustion. Vapes deliver nicotine \u201cwithout tobacco combustion\u201d &#8211; the process responsible for the vast majority of smoking-related disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Harm reduction within a broader treatment plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The guideline says that pharmacotherapy should sit alongside behavioural support. It says: \u201cBehavioural support from a trained advisor alongside pharmacotherapy improves quit success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also emphasises shared decision-making, saying: \u201cIt is essential that both the prescriber and individual are aware of, and agree, the goal of treatment, what it hopes to achieve, and in what time frame.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For smokers unable or unwilling to quit nicotine entirely, the message from UK addiction doctors is that switching from combustible tobacco to regulated vapes is an evidence-based option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The end goal remains permanent smoking cessation. But in these new clinical guidelines, vapes are firmly positioned as one of the most effective tools currently available to help dependent smokers get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ends<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear-after-content\" style=\"margin-top: 20px;margin-bottom: 20px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" id=\"clear-1387748851\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.broughton-group.com\/nicotine?utm_campaign=43296353-Clearing%20the%20Air%20PPC%20Campaign%20-%202026&#038;utm_source=ppc&#038;utm_medium=Paid%20Ads\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" aria-label=\"728 x 90 (2)\"><img src=\"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2.png\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2.png 728w, https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2-300x37.png 300w, https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2-370x46.png 370w, https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/728-x-90-2-600x74.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UK addiction specialists have formally endorsed vapes as an effective stop-smoking aid in new clinical guidelines on the pharmacological management of substance dependence. The evidence-based consensus guideline, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, reviews the latest research on treatments for nicotine and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":990002,"featured_media":35007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[257],"tags":[186],"slider":[],"class_list":["post-35006","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-nicotine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35006","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/990002"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35006"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35006\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35014,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35006\/revisions\/35014"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35006"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35006"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35006"},{"taxonomy":"slider","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clearingtheair.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/slider?post=35006"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}