E-cigarettes overtake gum and patches for smokers trying to quit, says study
E-cigarettes are now the most popular form of support to stop smoking in England, overtaking nicotine gum and skin patches, researchers have said.
More than one million smokers in England used an electronic cigarette in a bid to kick the habit last year, according to academics at University College London (UCL).
They estimated that 2.6 million of England's eight million smokers tried to quit last year. Two fifths of those who tried to quit used an e-cigarette compared with 26% who used a licensed nicotine product in their attempt.
"E-cigarettes have overtaken more traditional methods as the most widely used support for smokers wanting to quit," said Robert West, professor of health psychology at UCL.
"Their impact on public health at present comes from attracting people who would otherwise have tried to stop without any useful form of support.
"We estimate that e-cigarettes have probably helped around 20,000 smokers to quit each year, that wouldn't have otherwise."
Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, added: "Although e-cigarettes are much less harmful than smoking cigarettes, there is no doubt that more research is needed into the potential long term effects of the use of them.
"This unique study shines a light on just how popular e-cigarettes have become as an aid for smokers trying to quit and we need to listen to what is helping people the most on their path to a smoke free life."
