Exploring Vapes in Smoking Cessation: Insights from a Major Swiss Study

In a significant stride towards understanding the role of vapes in smoking cessation, a Swiss-wide interdisciplinary research team, spearheaded by the University of Bern, has unveiled compelling findings. The study, distinguished as the largest of its kind globally, dives into the effectiveness of vapes, or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), in quitting smoking tobacco. While these devices have proven to be an effective aid in tobacco cessation, they exhibit limitations in curbing nicotine dependency.

In-Depth Analysis of Vapes in Smoking Cessation: Insights from the University of Bern's Study

Vapes, also known as e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), have been spotlighted in a landmark study led by the University of Bern. 

These devices, which are electrically powered to emit nicotine vapor, stand out for their absence of tobacco and significantly reduced emission of toxic compounds compared to traditional cigarettes. 

They have become a popular choice for individuals aiming to quit smoking.

Nevertheless, the long-term safety and effectiveness of vapes, particularly when used in conjunction with intensive smoking cessation programs, have remained under-explored until the initiation of this extensive study by an interdisciplinary research team.

This pivotal research, the largest of its kind globally, was orchestrated by the University of Bern, bringing together expertise from various fields including family medicine, pulmonary medicine, toxicology, addiction medicine, and epidemiology. The collaborative effort spanned across five study centers in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. 

The study’s primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and toxicological profile of vapes when integrated into intensive smoking cessation counseling, as opposed to counseling without the use of vapes.

Key Findings from the Study

The study, results of which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine, involved 1,246 participants over six months, comparing the outcomes of intensive smoking cessation counseling with and without the use of vapes. It revealed that vapes, as part of the counseling, increased tobacco abstinence by 21%, with a 53% success rate in the vape group versus 32% in the non-vape group. Despite this success in quitting tobacco, a significant number continued using vapes, indicating ongoing nicotine use, with nicotine abstinence rates at 20% for the vape group and 34% for the others.

The study’s lead, Reto Auer, from the Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM) at the University of Bern and Unisanté, University Center for Primary Care and Public Health in Lausanne, articulates the significance of these findings. 

According to Auer, the study not only reaffirms the efficacy of vapes in aiding tobacco cessation but also sheds light on their benefits within the structured environment of intensive smoking cessation counseling.

This comprehensive investigation, therefore, provides valuable insights into the role of vapes in smoking cessation efforts, contributing significantly to the ongoing discourse in the public health domain.

Perspectives on Nicotine Addiction and Vape Regulation

The research advocates a pragmatic approach towards nicotine addiction, proposing vapes as a transitional aid in smoking cessation. Concerns about vaping, especially among the youth, underscore the need for regulated access to vapes. The study's insights emphasize that while vapes can assist in tobacco cessation, comprehensive strategies and regulations are essential to mitigate potential risks associated with nicotine use.

Acknowledgments and Publication Details

This summary is based on the study "Electronic Nicotine-Delivery Systems for Smoking Cessation" by Reto Auer et al., published in The New England Journal of Medicine (390:07, 15.2.2024, doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2308815). The editorial by Nancy A. Rigotti, M.D., "Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation – Have We Reached a Tipping Point?" in the same journal issue, provides additional context and analysis.

This summary is adapted from the University of Bern's media release, available at University of Bern Media Relations.