Survey Shows More Smokers Are Using Vaping Products to Quit Smoking

Researchers from the University of Otago in Wellington found that more and more smokers are using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.

They discovered that between 2016 and 2018, awareness and use of e-cigarettes increased among smokers and those who had recently quit.

The lead researcher, Professor Richard Edwards from the university's public health department, stated that e-cigarette use is most common among the 18-24 age group and among those who have recently quit.

The New Zealand study is part of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation (ITC) project, involving 1,155 participants between 2016 and 2017, and 1,020 in 2018 (including 400 Māori) who were recent smokers or had quit.

Participants were recruited from a nationally representative New Zealand health survey and were asked about their awareness and use of e-cigarettes, reasons for use, and related beliefs.

This research, funded by the Health Research Council, provides the most in-depth description of e-cigarette use patterns among New Zealand smokers based on population data.

The 2018 survey found that awareness of e-cigarettes was very high, with 98% of smokers and recent quitters indicating they knew about e-cigarettes. 77% of respondents reported having tried e-cigarettes, 22% reported using them at least monthly, and 11% reported daily use.

Professor Edwards noted that similar usage patterns were observed among Māori and non-Māori participants. Daily use was highest among recent quitters (23%) compared to smokers (8%) and among the 18-24 age group (19%) compared to older age groups (10%). The most common reasons for using e-cigarettes were to help quit smoking (78%) or to reduce smoking (81%).

Professor Edwards stated that the findings are promising, especially since e-cigarette use is most prevalent among recent quitters, and a significant portion of regular e-cigarette users are using them to quit smoking.

“This suggests that e-cigarettes help reduce smoking rates and contribute to the goal of achieving a smoke-free status by 2025.” However, it is concerning that e-cigarette use is more common among the 18-24 age group. If e-cigarettes are to make a substantial contribution to reducing smoking, efforts need to be made to increase usage among older populations.”

He added that while the research shows more people are using e-cigarettes to quit smoking, more smokers report that they are only trying e-cigarettes rather than using them regularly. This indicates that there may be barriers to more sustained use of e-cigarettes.

“The most common potential barriers are that 68% of respondents believe e-cigarettes are less satisfying than smoking, 39% mistakenly believe e-cigarettes are as harmful as or more harmful than smoking, or are uncertain (15%).”

He emphasized the importance of public education, such as through the vapingfacts website (vapingfacts.health.nz/).
“This can help smokers understand the relative costs and harms of smoking and e-cigarettes, encouraging them to quit smoking or completely switch to e-cigarettes, and encouraging smokers to seek expert advice from professional retailers about the e-cigarette products that are best for them.”

The most common motivation for using e-cigarettes is to save money while smoking, suggesting that maintaining the tax system on cigarettes to keep prices relatively high may incentivize more smokers to quit.

Professor Edwards warned that New Zealand is unlikely to achieve its goal of being smoke-free by 2025, especially concerning Māori and Pacific peoples, who require more action.

“E-cigarettes have made a beneficial contribution, but there is still much work to be done to ensure all New Zealanders can live smoke-free lives.” We need to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the appeal, addictiveness, and availability of smoking products to complement the impact of alternative products like e-cigarettes in reducing smoking rates.”