OTTAWA, March 10, 2025 — Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies showing that a diverse array of tools can help people quit e-cigarettes. This review, among the first to summarize the available literature addressing interventions for vaping cessation, is published in Tobacco Control, a leading international journal that explores the nature and impact of tobacco use worldwide.
“This research has the potential to change the way we approach vaping cessation,” said Hassan Mir, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute who led the research, and the program chair of The Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation. “Many who vape want to quit but are unable to due to their dependence to nicotine. If we can refine and expand nicotine dependence programs, they could become a key tool in reducing the harms associated with e-cigarettes.”
The study found that people who used a vaping cessation intervention were over 50% more likely to quit vaping compared to those who did not. The effect was most significant with educational interventions and medications, which increased success rates by approximately 60% and 140% respectively. Digital interventions, like text messaging, also doubled the rates of vaping cessation but did not reach statistical significance. The overall effect was best within six months of the intervention but remained significant up to one year follow-up. While these findings are promising, experts at the Heart Institute emphasize the need for more research to better understand the most effective ways to help people quit vaping and the long-term risks associated with e-cigarette use.
“Vaping cessation interventions offer real hope for individuals looking to quit, and this research highlights that there are effective tools available to support them,” continued Mir. “By recognizing and implementing these interventions, healthcare providers and patients alike can take meaningful steps toward reducing or quitting vaping, improving long-term health outcomes.”
The review analyzed seven trials testing various interventions, including medications, digital tools, and educational content. These studies involved over 3,200 participants and tracked their success using self-reports and nicotine tests.
For more information, read Vaping cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta analysis in Tobacco Control.
Media contact
Leigh B. Morris
Communications Officer
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
613-316-6409 (cell)
lmorris@ottawaheart.ca