Do electronic cigarettes help smokers quit?

Evidence suggests that nicotine electronic cigarettes (ECs) can aid in smoking cessation, and this effect is consistent across several comparisons. There was moderate‐certainty evidence that ECs with nicotine increased quit rates at 6 months or longer compared with non‐nicotine ECs and compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). In absolute terms, pooled data suggest an additional 4 people for every 100 would quit smoking with nicotine ECs compared with non‐nicotine ECs or NRT.

There was very-low‐certainty evidence that ECs with nicotine increased quit rates compared with behavioural support alone or no support. In absolute terms, calculations suggest a further 6 people per 100 would quit if offered nicotine ECs compared with behavioural support alone or no support.

The effect of nicotine ECs when added to NRT was unclear.

None of the included studies (short to mid‐term, up to 2 years) detected serious adverse events considered possibly related to EC use. The most common adverse effects were throat/mouth irritation, headache, cough and nausea, which tended to dissipate over time.