--- title: "Nicotine e-cigarettes more effective for quitting smoking, review finds" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/nicotine-e-cigarettes-more-effective-for-quitting-smoking-review-finds" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/nicotine-e-cigarettes-more-effective-for-quitting-smoking-review-finds" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/nicotine-e-cigarettes-more-effective-for-quitting-smoking-review-finds.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/nicotine-e-cigarettes-more-effective-for-quitting-smoking-review-finds" category: "Health" published: "2026-08-26T05:45:56.784Z" source_reported: "2026-08-26T03:58:00.000Z" updated: "2026-08-26T05:45:56.784Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 55 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T08:43:35.285Z" --- # Nicotine e-cigarettes more effective for quitting smoking, review finds *A Cochrane review of 80 trials found vaping led to higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body (Cochrane review) and supported by 12 other outlets. - Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes quotes from named experts and mentions the origin of the data. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong claims like 'best way' and 'beats everyone else' but the body provides nuance. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Nicotine e-cigarettes helped more smokers quit than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as patches and gum, according to a Cochrane review. - The review of 80 trials involving 29,861 participants found about four more quitters per 100 people using e-cigarettes compared to NRT. - Higher quit rates were also found when e-cigarettes were provided compared to no support or behavioural support, though this evidence was less certain. - Researchers found no evidence of increased serious harm from using e-cigarettes to quit, but noted that longer-term studies are needed. A comprehensive review of 80 randomized controlled trials has found that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective in helping smokers quit than conventional methods like nicotine patches and gum. The review, which included data from 29,861 participants, concluded that e-cigarettes led to approximately four additional successful quitters per 100 people when compared to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The analysis, part of an ongoing living systematic review, also indicated higher quit rates when people were provided with e-cigarettes compared to receiving no support or only behavioural support. However, the certainty of this evidence was lower due to potential risks of bias in study design. Researchers reported no evidence of increased serious harm associated with using e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, although they emphasized the need for longer-term studies to fully assess potential risks. ## Disagreement on effectiveness compared to no support News Medical reported high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes led to higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy. It also stated that compared to no support or behavioural support, quit rates were still higher when people were also provided e-cigarettes, though this evidence is less certain. Science Alert stated that nicotine e-cigarettes may be the most effective option when compared to nicotine gums, patches, and behavioral support like counseling, according to the review. Science Daily reported consistent, high-quality evidence showing that nicotine vapes outperform traditional methods like patches, gum, and even behavioral support. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific figure of 'about 4 more quitters per 100 people' that the Cochrane review found when comparing e-cigarettes to NRT. The right-rated digests do not mention the specific figure of 'about 4 more quitters per 100 people' or the 61% increased odds of success after six months reported by some outlets. ## Who covered it Shares of the 17 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 29% (5) - Centre: 36% (6) - Right: 35% (6) 8 of 25 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T08:43:35.285Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 13 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T09:00:20.354Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Reports from the left-rated outlets focused on the effectiveness of vaping for smoking cessation. The Independent (US) highlighted that vaping boosts chances of quitting smoking by 61%, citing a Cochrane Review of 80 studies. It stated that between eight and ten people per 100 successfully stopped smoking using nicotine e-cigarettes, compared to six per 100 using conventional options. The Independent (UK) also reported that smokers are 'more likely to quit by using vapes compared to nicotine gum and patches', noting that vape use led to a 61% increased odds of success after six months. Watson's digest stated that eight to ten out of 100 subjects managed to avoid smoking cigarettes for at least six months. Zeit Online's digest mentioned the topic of non-smoking and the headline 'Switching to e-cigarettes can make smoking easier'. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports highlighted the comparative effectiveness of nicotine e-cigarettes for quitting smoking. News Medical's full report stated that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than many conventional methods, resulting in about four more quitters per 100 people compared to nicotine replacement therapy. It also noted higher quit rates compared to no support or behavioural support, though this evidence was less certain. BBC News reported that nicotine vapes offer the best chance to quit smoking, working better than patches, gum, or pills according to the most up-to-date evidence. Science Alert's digest suggested nicotine e-cigarettes may be the most effective option for quitting smoking when compared to traditional therapies and behavioural support. Science Daily's digest indicated that nicotine e-cigarettes may be one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking, with consistent, high-quality evidence showing they outperform traditional methods. ### Right - Right-rated outlets focused on the potential of e-cigarettes to aid smoking cessation, while also introducing caveats. Handelsblatt and focus.de used the headline 'Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier', with their digests stating that an overview study shows e-cigarettes help more smokers quit than other methods, but questioning if they are truly the best way to stop. Berliner Morgenpost's digest reported that one method helps more nicotine addicts quit than others, but noted it is not risk-free. N-tv's digest focused on the difficulty many people have quitting smoking and presented e-cigarettes as one method among others. ABC's digest, however, framed vaping as a 'trap to quit smoking' and a method to 'stay addicted to nicotine', stating it is not a medical treatment and may cause health problems. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 10 - unknown: 7 - veryHigh: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Kurier](https://kurier.at/wissen/gesundheit/e-zigarette-rauchentwoehnung-cochrane-review/403186365) — E-Cigarette: Does She Really Help with the Smoke Stop? - [Spiegel](https://spiegel.de/gesundheit/e-zigaretten-studie-sieht-potenzial-fuer-rauchentwoehnung-durch-vapes-a-a158d8dd-6e70-433c-97f4-74829b093aa8) — E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [Nation.Cymru](https://nation.cymru/news/vapes-proven-and-viable-option-for-people-for-quitting-cigarettes) — Vapes ‘proven and viable option for people’ for quitting cigarettes - [القدس العربي](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9) — Study: Switching to Electronic Cigarettes May Make It Easier to Quit Smoking. - [Euronews](https://euronews.com/health/2026/08/26/nicotine-e-cigarettes-are-more-effective-than-other-alternatives-for-quitting-smoking-stud) — Nicotine vapes beat patches and gum for quitting smoking, study finds - [News Medical](https://news-medical.net/news/20260825/Nicotine-e-cigarettes-help-more-smokers-quit-than-conventional-methods.aspx) — Nicotine e-cigarettes help more smokers quit than conventional methods - [n-tv](https://n-tv.de/wissen/Diese-Art-der-Rauchentwoehnung-funktioniert-am-besten-id31229166.html) — Almost 30,000 People Studied: This Type of Smoking Habit Works Best - [op-online.de](https://op-online.de/welt/umstieg-auf-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern-zr-94459972.html) — Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/bulletin/news/smoking-quitting-vaping-nicotine-patches-gum-b3039270.html) — Vaping boosts chances of quitting smoking by 61%, study finds - [watson](https://watson.ch/wissen/international/527586876-e-zigaretten-nikotin-vaping-kann-beim-rauchstopp-helfen) — Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [Science Media Centre](https://sciencemediacentre.org/updated-cochrane-review-on-vaping-for-quitting-smoking) — Updated Cochrane review on vaping for quitting smoking - [onetz.de](https://onetz.de/deutschland-welt/umstieg-e-zigaretten-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern-id5480583.html) — Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [nordbayern.de](https://nordbayern.de/schlagzeilen/umstieg-auf-e-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwohnung-erleichtern-1.15253892) — Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [Handelsblatt](https://handelsblatt.com/technik/forschung-innovation/nichtrauchen-umstieg-auf-e-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern/100249676.html) — Non-Smoking: Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [Zeit Online](https://zeit.de/news/2026-08/26/umstieg-auf-e-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern) — Non-Smoking: Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [inFranken.de](https://infranken.de/ueberregional/newsticker-national/wissenschaft/umstieg-auf-e-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern-art-6391027) — Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [geo](https://geo.de/wissen/nichtrauchen--umstieg-auf-e-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern-38159316.html) — Non-Smoking: Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [Berliner Morgenpost](https://morgenpost.de/ratgeber-wissen/article412957223/mit-dem-rauchen-aufhoeren-diese-methode-schlaegt-laut-neuer-studie-alle-anderen.html) — Quit Smoking: According to New Study, This Method Beats Everyone Else - [Science Alert](https://sciencealert.com/massive-study-says-vaping-really-is-the-most-effective-way-to-quit-smoking-but-theres-a-catch) — Massive Study Says Vaping Really Is The Most Effective Way to Quit Smoking – But There's a Catch - [focus.de](https://focus.de/gesundheit/umstieg-auf-e-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern_7405452f-b1ca-487b-8ea2-58f91654ebb3.html) — Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [saarbruecker-zeitung.de](https://saarbruecker-zeitung.de/saarland/hochschule/umstieg-auf-e-zigaretten-kann-rauchentwoehnung-erleichtern_aid-153730275) — Non-Smoking: Switching to E-Cigarettes Can Make Smoking Easier - [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/c1e5p51n2p2o) — Nicotine vapes best chance to quit smoking, major review finds - [abc](https://abc.es/salud/enfermedades/trampa-vapeo-dejar-fumar-metodo-seguir-adicto-20260825013044-nt.html) — The Vaping Trap to Quit Smoking: "It's a Method to Stay Addicted to Nicotine" - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/health/vapes-vaping-quit-smoking-nicotine-patches-gum-b3039050.html) — Smokers ‘more likely to quit by using vapes compared to nicotine gum and patches’ - [Science Daily](https://sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260328043552.htm) — Scientists say the evidence is clear: E-cigarettes beat patches and gum in helping smokers quit ## Questions **How effective are nicotine e-cigarettes for quitting smoking?** A Cochrane review of 80 trials found that nicotine e-cigarettes led to higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum. The review indicated about four more quitters per 100 people using e-cigarettes compared to NRT. **Are there any harms associated with using e-cigarettes to quit smoking?** Researchers found no evidence of increased serious harm from using e-cigarettes to quit smoking, according to the review. However, they noted that longer-term studies are needed to fully assess potential risks, and that findings apply specifically to regulated, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. **What did the review compare e-cigarettes against?** The review compared nicotine e-cigarettes against nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) like patches and gum, non-nicotine cigarettes, and no support or behavioural support. The evidence for comparison against no or behavioural support was less certain. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/nicotine-e-cigarettes-more-effective-for-quitting-smoking-review-finds. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Nicotine e-cigarettes more effective for quitting smoking, review finds", https://mediabias.news/health/nicotine-e-cigarettes-more-effective-for-quitting-smoking-review-finds