Smokers who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes simultaneously—called dual users—significantly reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals, claims a groundbreaking study from Queen Mary University of London. Moreover, they are more likely to quit smoking altogether compared to those who only continue smoking.
This challenges long-standing concerns that dual use might be counterproductive.
Large-Scale Study Tracks Smokers Over One Year
The research, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Cancer Research UK (CRUK), followed 886 adult smokers for a year. Participants were offered e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement products during their stop-smoking attempts.
Published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the study closely examined e-cigarette usage patterns and their relation to quitting success.
Key Findings: Dual Users Have Higher Quit Rates and Lower Harm
Smokers who dual used cigarettes and e-cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking at both four weeks and one year compared to exclusive smokers. Even among those who did not fully quit, dual users reduced their smoking rate significantly and lowered their intake of toxic cigarette smoke chemicals.
This supports gradual cessation for smokers who struggle with abrupt quitting.
Dr Francesca Pesola, lead author, explained, “Vaping can help smokers quit gradually when stopping abruptly is difficult.” Co-author Dr Peter Hajek added that dual use promotes harm reduction and can be an important step toward quitting.
Additional Important Insights
E-cigarette users reported lower urges to smoke compared to those using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), explaining vaping’s role in easing quitting.
Most users began with high nicotine e-liquids and tapered down over time; by one year, about 10% used nicotine-free liquids, showing vaping can aid nicotine weaning.
Tobacco-flavored e-liquids were unpopular and correlated with lower quit rates; most switched to fruit or other flavors, which seemed more effective.
Smoking and Public Health Context in the UK
Approximately 11.9% of UK adults still smoke, and quitting remains one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes. This study offers encouraging evidence for dual use as a viable cessation pathway.
Q&A: Understanding Dual Use and Smoking Cessation
Q: What is meant by dual use in this study?
A: Simultaneous use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes during a quit attempt.
Q: Why is dual use beneficial for smokers?
A: It lowers harmful chemical intake and increases likelihood of quitting compared to exclusive smoking.
Q: How does vaping influence the urge to smoke?
A: E-cigarette users experience reduced cravings compared to those using nicotine replacement therapies.
Q: Are certain vape flavors more helpful than others?
A: Non-tobacco flavors like fruit were preferred and linked to better quit success than tobacco-flavored e-liquids.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can dual use delay quitting smoking?
A1: The study shows dual use does not delay quitting; it supports gradual reduction and increases quit rates.
Q2: How long were participants followed in the study?
A2: One year, with assessments at four weeks and one year.
Q3: What role does nicotine strength play in vaping?
A3: Participants often started with high nicotine e-liquids and tapered off over time, aiding nicotine dependence reduction.
Q4: Does vaping fully eliminate health risks?
A4: Vaping reduces exposure to harmful chemicals versus smoking but quitting all nicotine products offers the greatest health benefits.
Q5: How might this research impact smoking cessation advice?
A5: It supports recommending e-cigarettes as part of quit strategies, emphasizing gradual cessation and harm reduction.
