• Previous research suggest that electronic cigarettes are considerably better at helping people ‘quit’* than nicotine patches or lozenges. But scientists have neglected the reason up until now.

• By determining the precise reasons behind electronic cigarettes' success, a recent study seeks to correct that.

Why Electronic Cigarettes Work

The study identified five reasons why vaping is effective based on interviews with vapers.

1. Vaping Imitates Smoking in Bio-Behavioral Feedback

E-cigarettes function in part due to their resemblance to conventional cigarettes. Vapers emphasised how comparable electronic cigarettes are to traditional cigarettes, the sensation they experience when inhaling from them, and how they have replaced traditional cigarettes in their daily lives.

2. Social Advantages

• Another factor cited for success was the vast community both online and offline, which was compared to nicotine patches:

• You never hear two individuals conversing on the patch about their patches, the brands they're trying, or anything else.

3. Hobby Components

With patches, you can't experiment with different flavours and designs; while, with electronic cigarettes, ex-smokers may. I now collect drinks and technologies rather than lighters.

4. Smokers rebranding as vapers under their own names

Electronic cigarettes now refer to themselves as vapers rather than smokers.

5. Smoking Cessation vs. Nicotine Cessation

The study's final key finding was that participants prioritised transitioning to a safer type of nicotine use over quitting smoking. I want to quit using nicotine eventually, but I'm not in a rush. Smokers are aware that nicotine gum and patches are only designed to be temporary solutions.

Comparison of Electronic Cigarettes and Cessation Products

• The study highlighted the success rates of nicotine replacement treatment (7%), as well as electronic cigarettes (22.5 percent of smokers completely quit, with another 32.5 percent lowering their smoking by at least half).

• Prior to switching to e-cigarettes, all of the vapers examined had used conventional quit smoking products.

The vapers noted a number of issues with conventional quit smoking products:

• adverse consequences

• relapses (one even smoked while using varenicline) (one even smoked while using varenicline)

• inability to satisfy the psychological urge to smoke cigarettes

Conclusion

• Even though the study was fascinating and helpful, it only represented forum users. People who only vape and don't use forums and social networks may not be able to apply some of the results (social benefit and hobby elements).

• This is not to imply that the study isn't valuable; it is.

• Numerous research appear to begin with a theory and then look for the data to back it up. Others' conclusions are tainted by their preconceptions. For instance, even some scientists who favour electronic cigarettes believe that the gadgets are merely a way to help people stop smoking.

• This study accomplished the exact opposite, which is one of the things I appreciate about it. After speaking with vapers, the writers based their conclusions on what real users had to say. It also brought to light something that many smokers and vapers already know but that scientists frequently overlook: quitting smoking is not only about getting rid of the nicotine.

Because some smokers are actually transitioning from one type of nicotine use to another, I have put the word "quit" in quotation marks. They are giving up nicotine but not smoking.