E-Cigarettes as a Smoking Cessation Tool: Effectiveness and Challenges
The use of e-cigarettes as a tool for quitting smoking is gaining attention, with evidence suggesting that vaping can help some smokers quit. However, the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation largely depends on whether they are used as a complete replacement for traditional cigarettes. Randomized trials indicate that nicotine vaping can outperform single-form nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), especially when combined with behavioral support. Despite this, population surveys reveal widespread dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, which diminishes the expected health benefits. Recent data from France highlights that nearly half of daily vapers also smoke, indicating a persistent link between the two habits. The challenge lies in the fact that nicotine dependence remains strong, even without tobacco combustion, and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine efficiently, which may sustain addiction while reducing smoke-related toxins. 
