What Helps People Quit Vaping? New Research Reviews the Evidence
Vaping cessation support is becoming an important area of public health research as more people look for ways to stop using e-cigarettes. A new systematic review and meta-analysis examined evidence from randomised controlled trials to find out which approaches may help people quit vaping.
What the Research Examined
The review, published in Tobacco Control, brought together evidence from seven randomised controlled trials involving 5,763 participants.
The researchers examined different approaches designed to help people stop vaping. These included:
- Educational support
- Digital interventions, such as smartphone apps and text messaging
- Counselling
- Pharmacological interventions
The studies measured whether participants successfully stopped vaping. The review focused on vaping cessation rather than preventing people from starting to vape.
What Did the Researchers Find?
The review found evidence that some interventions can help people quit vaping. However, the researchers also highlighted important limitations in the available evidence.
The studies differed in their participants, interventions, and methods. Because of these differences, the findings do not mean that one approach will work for everyone.
Importantly, the authors noted that there is currently no widely accepted standard of care for vaping cessation.
That means more research is needed to understand which approaches work best, for whom, and under what circumstances.
Why Vaping Cessation Support Matters
Vaping cessation is different from preventing vaping initiation.
Some people may begin vaping without previously smoking, while others may use vaping as part of an attempt to move away from cigarettes. Therefore, people who want to stop vaping can have very different backgrounds and reasons for using nicotine.
This makes evidence-based cessation support particularly important.
The review also highlights a wider challenge for healthcare professionals. As vaping becomes an established public health issue, professionals need reliable evidence to guide conversations with people who want to stop.
What About Treatments?
The review examined both behavioural and pharmacological approaches. However, the authors stressed that some treatments included in the studies are not specifically approved for vaping cessation in most jurisdictions.
This distinction matters.
Research showing that an intervention has been studied does not automatically mean it is an approved treatment for vaping cessation in Australia.
Australians considering quitting vaping should therefore speak with a healthcare professional about appropriate support rather than relying on treatments without professional guidance.
What It Means for Australians
For Australians who want to quit vaping, the research provides an important message: support for vaping cessation is being studied, but the evidence is still developing.
The review shows that researchers are investigating several approaches, including education, counselling and digital support. However, the authors’ findings do not establish one universal method that everyone should use.
Australian health professionals can help people consider their individual circumstances and identify appropriate evidence-based support.
For people who also smoke cigarettes, quitting smoking remains an important health goal. Anyone wanting to stop smoking or vaping can speak with a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional about their options.
More Research Is Still Needed
The researchers found promising evidence for some vaping cessation interventions, but the evidence base remains relatively limited.
More high-quality research can help answer important questions about vaping cessation, including which interventions work best and how effective they are over the longer term.
As vaping continues to evolve, building this evidence will help healthcare professionals provide better support to people who want to stop.
The Bottom Line
The latest review suggests that vaping cessation support can help some people stop vaping, but researchers are still working to determine which approaches are most effective.
For anyone wanting to quit vaping or smoking, seeking support from a qualified healthcare professional is a positive first step. Evidence-based guidance can help people make informed decisions about their health and quitting goals.
Sources & Credits
Title: Vaping cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Javad Heshmati, Avinash Pandey, Joseph Benjamen, Muhammad Furqan, Muhammad Salman, Sarah Visintini, Kerri-Anne Mullen, Gordon Guyatt, Andrew L. Pipe and Hassan Mir.
Journal: Tobacco Control
Publisher: BMJ
Publication: 2026; 35(3):382–390.
Written and published by NicQuit.com.au — helping Australians breathe easier, live longer, and quit for good.
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