Can Vaping Devices Really Help You Quit Smoking?

Used as a Smoking Cessation Aid

Individuals who have used e-cigarettes, such as those who have recently quit smoking or have attempted to quit in the past two years, were asked, "In the past two years, have you used e-cigarettes to quit smoking?" Half (53.5%) reported doing so.

There is no significant difference between men (57.4%) and women (49.3%) using e-cigarettes to quit smoking. However, there are significant differences among age groups, with older smokers being more likely to use cessation aids (Figure 12.23).

Considering all individuals who have used e-cigarettes (including those with any smoking status), 23.6% of respondents indicated they had used e-cigarettes as a quitting method in the past two years (21.7% for men; 26.5% for women).

Among smokers who used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, three-quarters (74.4%) intend to quit smoking in the next six months, significantly higher than the 55.4% of smokers who did not use e-cigarettes. There is no significant difference in the intention to quit in the next 30 days between e-cigarette users (31.1%) and non-users (26.1%).

Used as a Cigarette Substitute

Current smokers (who have used e-cigarettes) were asked: "Sometimes smokers use e-cigarettes even if they do not intend to quit. Have you ever used e-cigarettes when you couldn't smoke or wanted to smoke less?"

Overall, nearly half (44.6%) of those who have used e-cigarettes are also smokers, reporting that they use e-cigarettes when they cannot smoke or want to smoke less.

There is no significant difference in this usage pattern between men (41.4%) and women (48.8%), or between the 18-24 age group and the 25-34 age group (Figure 12.24).

Considering all current smokers, 23.8% have used e-cigarettes as a substitute for cigarettes (22.8% for men; 25.1% for women).