Study finds that suitable e-cigarette flavors combined with professional guidance can help smokers q

A recent study published by London South Bank University (LSBU) in the journal Addiction shows that smokers are more likely to quit if they receive help in choosing e-cigarette flavors along with professional guidance.
The study recruited 1,214 heavy smokers interested in quitting through social media. Researchers tested five remote intervention methods, primarily based on recommendations from online surveys filled out by participants.
These interventions included personalized device selection advice for smokers, recommendations for e-liquid nicotine concentrations, flavor suggestions, brief information about relative harm, and SMS support.
The results showed: "Simple flavor choice advice, combined with professional guidance, can increase quit rates by 55%." This finding also contradicts the view that e-cigarette flavors are only meant to attract young people.
Professor Lynne Dawkins, who participated in the study, noted that 24.5% of participants who received both interventions completely quit smoking, while 13% significantly reduced their smoking amount compared to the previous three months.
Professor Dawkins pointed out that less than one-third of smokers in the study wanted to try tobacco-like flavors. Some regions prohibit non-tobacco flavors, leaving only products that resemble cigarette tastes, which many smokers do not want.
Clive Bates, a harm reduction advocate and former director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in the UK, believes this new study highlights the crucial role of e-cigarette shops and their staff. He stated that this research provides smokers with "in-depth information relevant to transitioning to e-cigarettes."
Dawkins added that the smokers participating in the study were "highly dependent on nicotine," averaging 18 cigarettes a day, with 90% smoking within 30 minutes of waking up.
She noted: "19% of participants were able to quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes, along with some guidance and support, and 13% significantly reduced their smoking, indicating that e-cigarettes can even help some of the most dependent smokers."