R-013: Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation (living systematic review, 2024 update)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Research ID | R-013 |
| Authors | Lindson N, Butler AR, McRobbie H, Bullen C, Hajek P, Begh R, Theodoulou A, Notley C, Rigotti NA, Turner T, Livingstone-Banks J, Morris T, Hartmann-Boyce J |
| Year | 2024 |
| Journal / publisher | Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |
| DOI | 10.1002/14651858.CD010216.pub8 |
| PMID | 38189560 |
| ISBN | Not reported |
| Research type | Systematic Review (living, network meta-analysis) |
| Evidence strength | Strong |
| Population | Adults who smoke cigarettes (88 studies, ~27,000+ participants in network analyses) |
| Intervention | Nicotine e-cigarettes |
| Comparator | NRT, non-nicotine e-cigarettes, behavioural support/no support |
| Last verified | 2026-10-04 |
Main question
Do nicotine e-cigarettes help people quit smoking, and are they safe for this purpose?
Main findings
High-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes increase quit rates compared with NRT; moderate-certainty evidence that they increase quit rates compared with non-nicotine e-cigarettes and behavioural/no support. Serious adverse effects were rare.
Limitations
Long-term safety data remain limited; unwanted-effects evidence often low certainty; review is living and updates as new trials publish.
Why this record matters
Core evidence on e-cigarettes as cessation aids; updates the 2021 record R-009.
Related topics
Electronic Cigarettes; Quit Methods; Nicotine Replacement Therapy