New Cochrane review strengthens evidence for vaping as a smoking cessation tool

New evidence continues to support the role of nicotine e-cigarettes in helping people stop smoking. This is according to an updated Cochrane review published on 26 August 2026.

The latest Cochrane Review of Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation analysed 90 completed studies involving more than 29,000 adults who smoke. It found high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes result in higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

The review estimates that for every 100 people using nicotine e-cigarettes to quit smoking, around eight to10 may successfully stop smoking, compared with around six people using NRT.

The evidence also suggests nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than e-cigarettes without nicotine.

The review found no evidence of serious short-term harms from regulated nicotine e-cigarettes. However, the authors emphasised that longer and larger studies are needed to assess safety more fully. The most commonly reported side effects were throat or mouth irritation, headache, cough and nausea.

The findings are consistent with previous UK evidence including the UK Government’s 2022 Nicotine vaping in England evidence update which concluded that vaping is an effective for stopping smoking, while also finding that vaping carries only a small fraction of the health risks associated with smoking.

What does this mean for tobacco control?

For people who smoke, the priority remains stopping smoking completely. Vaping can be one of several evidence-based options to support a quit attempt, alongside behavioural support, nicotine replacement therapy and stop smoking medication.

For Londoners looking to quit, Stop Smoking London provides free support through local stop smoking services and the Smoke Free App, with access to specialist behavioural support and stop smoking products, including vapes.

• Read the full Cochrane review on Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation
• Find support to quit smoking in London: Stop Smoking London
• Read the UK Government’s evidence update on nicotine vaping

The London Tobacco Alliance supports evidence-based approaches to reducing smoking and tobacco-related health inequalities across London.