Nicotine E-cigarettes are More Effective than Traditional NRT

Industry Insight by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.09.2024
Nicotine E-cigarettes are More Effective than Traditional NRT
A new Cochrane review led by public health researcher Jamie Hartmann-Boyce shows that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional NRT in helping people quit smoking.

According to a report published on January 8 by Medical Xpress, a team of researchers led by Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst's School of Public Health and Health Sciences, has found that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in aiding smoking cessation, as shown in the latest Cochrane review.

 

A study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews suggests that e-cigarettes enable users to "vaporize" nicotine rather than inhaling it through combustion, making them more likely to aid in smoking cessation compared to traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) such as patches, gum, and lozenges.

 

Hartmann-Boyes states, "In the UK, unlike anywhere else in the world, e-cigarettes are embraced by public health organizations as a tool to help reduce smoking-related harm." Prior to joining the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he conducted research at Oxford University in the UK.

 

Hartman-Bois points out that e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, but instead heat up e-liquid containing nicotine and flavorings, allowing users to inhale nicotine-infused vapor rather than tobacco smoke. Compared to traditional tobacco, smokers are exposed to a complex mixture of chemicals known to cause diseases.

 

He stated, "We have very clear evidence to show that although e-cigarettes are not without risks, they are much less harmful compared to smoking." Some individuals who have previously attempted other smoking cessation methods without success have found that e-cigarettes help them quit smoking.

 

According to the analysis, the results show that for every 100 people who use nicotine e-cigarettes to quit smoking, it can be expected that 8 to 10 people will successfully quit. On the other hand, the success rate for using traditional nicotine replacement therapy is 6 out of 100 people. Meanwhile, the success rate for those who try to quit without any support or solely relying on behavioral support is 4 out of 100 people.

 

Despite the approval of seven proven smoking cessation drugs by the US FDA, e-cigarettes have not been included. Dr. Robert Califf, the agency's director, expressed that certain e-cigarettes may assist adults in completely transitioning away from or significantly reducing their use of more harmful combustible tobacco products. Public health standards need to balance potential benefits with the known risks of attractive and highly addictive products to adolescents.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
PMI Partners With Italian Tenor Andrea Bocelli to Launch “Believe. Further” Platform
Philip Morris International (PMI) and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli have launched “Believe. Further,” a multi-year communications platform targeting cultural, institutional and business audiences in Europe, as PMI says smoke-free products accounted for 43% of its net revenues as of the first quarter of 2026.
Jul.01
PMI’s ZYN Launches Loyalty Platform in Mexico, Tapping World Cup Viewing Scenes for Nicotine Pouch Marketing
PMI’s ZYN Launches Loyalty Platform in Mexico, Tapping World Cup Viewing Scenes for Nicotine Pouch Marketing
PMI’s nicotine pouch brand ZYN has launched the ZYN Club loyalty platform in Mexico and introduced ZYN Live Stadium viewing experiences around football matches, showing how nicotine pouch brands are using rewards, limited benefits and offline consumption settings to reach adult consumers.
Jun.29
Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
As e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches expand across global markets, a central question is gaining urgency: can tobacco control rely on a universal policy model? In an interview with 2Firsts, Asian public health and addiction medicine specialist Dr. Rashidi Mohamed bin Pakri Mohamed says Western experience remains relevant, but policies must be adapted to local culture, healthcare systems, enforcement capacity, illicit markets and clinical evidence.
Jul.08
Germany Plans Tobacco Tax Hike, With Cigarette Prices Nearing €12 Per Pack by 2030
Germany Plans Tobacco Tax Hike, With Cigarette Prices Nearing €12 Per Pack by 2030
Germany plans to raise tobacco taxes over the coming years, potentially pushing the average price of a 20-cigarette pack to about €11.78 by 2030. The proposal also covers fine-cut tobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco and e-cigarette liquids.
Jul.14
Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%
Sweden Becomes First EU Country to Reach Smoke-Free Status as Daily Smoking Falls to 4.8%
According to the latest CAN report and multiple media reports, Sweden’s daily smoking rate fell to 4.8% in 2025, below the commonly used 5% smoke-free threshold, making it the first EU country to reach that benchmark.
News
Jun.05
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Attorney General Stephen J. Cox has sent notices to more than 1,500 tobacco retailers and distributors warning them against selling vape and nicotine pouch products that lack authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Alaska Department of Law, businesses were advised to verify products against FDA authorization databases and avoid selling unauthorized nicotine products. The action highlights how state-level enforcement is increasingly extending federal product authorization requirements to retail channels.
Jul.24