Tobacco Use and Health Risks

Does vaping help tobacco smokers kick the habit? 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Diego found that the answer to that question is no. In fact, U.S. tobacco smokers may be more likely to smoke more after vaping – not less. 

“Most smokers think vaping will help you quit smoking,” study co-author John P. Pierce, Ph.D., said in a news release. 

“However, this belief is not supported by science to date. While some researchers have suggested that smokers who switch to daily vaping will be more successful in quitting smoking, we studied quitting success among both daily and non-daily vapers and came up with a quite definitive answer.”

The study

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 smokers in the U.S. who were enrolled in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Of that group, 943 also vaped, and the researchers compared the outcomes with those who didn’t vape. 

Additionally, the researchers were able to look at some of the factors that most affect whether or not smokers are successful with quitting. These included things like a willingness to stop smoking, regular smoking habits, socioeconomic factors, and more. 

“For example, if a smoker is already very interested in quitting, has a smoke-free home, and does not smoke daily, they are much more likely to successfully quit regardless of whether they vape or not,” senior author Karen Messer, Ph.D., said in a news release. 

“We matched each smoker/vaper on such characteristics. You have to make very sure you’re comparing like with like, and that’s why this analysis is so definitive.” 

How does vaping affect smoking cessation?

Ultimately, the researchers found that vaping wasn’t helpful in aiding smokers in quitting the habit. 

The study found that those who vaped daily were over 4% less likely to quit smoking, while those who vaped regularly – but not every day – were over 5% less likely to quit smoking. 

Quitting both traditional cigarettes and vaping was nearly 15% less likely among those who vaped daily, and over 7% less likely for those who vaped regularly but not daily. 

"As the public health community continues to grapple with the complexities of tobacco control, it is essential that we rely on rigorous scientific evidence to inform our policies and interventions,” Messer said. “Our research shows that misleading associations between vaping and smoking cessation routinely occur unless confounding characteristics are carefully accounted for.”

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst explored the link between youth vaping and smoking into adulthood. 

It’s been long debated that one habit impacts the other – kids who start vaping at a young age are more likely to be adults that smoke. However, according to these findings, this isn’t likely to be the case. 

“One of the substantial concerns from some members of the public health community about vaping is that it might cause more young people to smoke,” researcher Jamie Hartmann-Boyce said in a news release. “Some — but not all — evidence from our study possibly suggests the opposite — that vaping may contribute to declines in youth smoking, particularly in the U.S.”

The research

To understand the link between youth vaping and adult smoking, the researchers analyzed data from 123 previous studies that included data on over four million people in the U.S., Canada, and western Europe. All of the participants were under the age of 29, and their e-cigarette use was compared with population data on smoking. 

“The studies themselves are not straightforward study designs, because you can’t randomize kids to vape or not vape — it just wouldn’t be ethical,” Hartmann-Boyce said. “But it means that there are so many different ways to interpret the findings of these studies.”

The findings

So, what did the analysis show? Ultimately, the findings were mixed. 

However, the researchers did find that over 20 of the larger studies came to a similar conclusion: as vaping among young people increased, smoking rates went down. Additionally, when rules were put into place that restricted vaping, smoking rates were likely to be higher. 

The researchers explained that at the most individual level, those who vape are more likely to go on to become smokers. However, none of their data can prove the causal relationship between these two factors. 

Instead, the team encourages consumers to look at population-level data. Smoking levels have been steadily declining over the years, which indicates that vaping isn’t likely to play a role in subsequent smoking. 

“There’s enough non-smoking kids who start vaping in the U.S. that if vaping was in a consistent and widespread way causing kids to start smoking, we would start seeing that in our population-level smoking data,” Hartmann-Boyce said. “And we haven’t seen that at all.

“The smoking rates among kids have declined steeply, and whether or not that’s due to vaping or something else is up in the air. But it’s difficult to argue that  — in the U.S. population — youth vaping is en masse causing kids to smoke. The data doesn’t support that so far.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule to limit the addictiveness of cigarettes and other tobacco products. 

The agency plans to lower the amount of nicotine in these products, ultimately helping curb consumers’ habits and prioritize their health. With the ruling, the FDA hopes that smokers looking to quit will have an easier time, and non-smokers won’t be tempted to start. 

“Multiple administrations have acknowledged the immense opportunity that a proposal of this kind offers to address the burden of tobacco-related disease,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. 

“Today’s proposal envisions a future where it would be less likely for young people to use cigarettes and more individuals who currently smoke could quit or switch to less harmful products. This action, if finalized, could save many lives and dramatically reduce the burden of severe illness and disability, while also saving huge amounts of money. I hope we can all agree that significantly reducing the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S. is an admirable goal we should all work toward.”

What this would mean

The FDA explained in its proposal that nicotine won’t be banned under the ruling. Instead, any tobacco-based products sold in the U.S. would be made with significantly less nicotine than is currently being used. 

Under the rule, tobacco products would be capped at 0.7 mg of nicotine. By comparison, most standard cigarettes currently contain an average of 10-12 mg of nicotine.  

Here are the products that would be affected by the ruling: 

• Cigarettes

• Cigars – little cigars, cigarillos, and most large cigars

• Roll-your-own tobacco

• Pipe tobacco 

• Cigarette tobacco 

Here are the products that would not be affected by the ruling: 

• E-cigarettes 

• Nicotine pouches 

• Noncombusted cigarettes – heated tobacco products that meet the definition of a cigarette

• Waterpipe tobacco (hookah)

• Smokeless tobacco products

• Premium cigars 

Long-term health benefits

As part of the proposal, the FDA also utilized its population health model to determine how this rule would affect consumers’ health over the long-term. 

They estimate that within five years of the ruling being finalized, 19.5 million people who smoke cigarettes would stop doing so. After just one year, it’s estimated that nearly 13 million smokers would quit. 

In the next 35 years, the FDA estimates that nearly two million tobacco-related deaths could be prevented. By the year 2100, the agency estimates that the ruling would prevent roughly 48 million young adults from ever smoking cigarettes. 

“Today, we’re taking a critical step in the rulemaking process by providing the public with a proposal they can review and engage on,” said Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. 

“This proposal allows for the start of an important conversation about how we meaningfully tackle one of the deadliest consumer products in history and profoundly change the landscape of tobacco product use in the United States.”

Consumers are able to voice their opinions on the ruling now through September 15, 2025. More information on how to do so is available on the FDA’s website. 

Not too long ago, vaping was seen as something that could help you quit smoking. Now, people are looking for a way to quit vaping. 

To the rescue comes the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which did a research project to find the most effective strategies. They include Chantix (verenicline), a prescription medication often used to help people quit smoking, and text message-based interventions.

Varenicline works by stimulating nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It can also reduce the pleasurable effects of nicotine, making it less rewarding to vape or smoke.

While varenicline has been studied extensively for smoking cessation, research on its effectiveness specifically for quitting vaping is still limited. However, some evidence suggests that it may be beneficial for people who vape, as it targets nicotine addiction, which is common to both smoking and vaping.  

“This is an area of research that is in its infancy, but is growing rapidly and organically from people who vape asking about help to quit vaping,” said senior author Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, assistant professor of health policy and management in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and a Cochrane editor. 

“We also know that people who use vaping as a way to transition away from smoking are often keen to know how they can safely transition away from vaping without relapsing to smoking, which is really important.” 

Cochrane reviews have found “high certainty evidence” that e-cigarettes lead to better chances of quitting smoking than patches, gums, lozenges or other traditional nicotine replacement therapy.

In the quit-vaping review, the team of scientists pinpointed nine relevant randomized studies involving more than 5,000 participants. The researchers aimed to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of tools that have been tested to help individuals quit vaping.

“The interventions tested are similar to those that we know work for helping people quit smoking,” Hartmann-Boyce says. “We don’t know, however, that they necessarily help people quit vaping, and that’s why it’s important that we have these trials.”

Text messages helped

The study found that programs designed to deliver support via text messages seem to be effective for young people aged 13 to 24. The prescription medication varenicline, commonly used to help people stop smoking, was potentially effective for adults trying to quit vaping.

However, due to the limited number of studies, this evidence for both approaches was low certainty and, the researchers explain, needs to be investigated further. 

“With the results of our Cochrane review, healthcare professionals now have initial evidence for specific approaches they can recommend, particularly for younger people wanting to quit vaping,” Butler says. “However, we urgently need more research to explore these and other approaches.”

The text-message approach offers a mix of motivational content, as well as content around social norms and tips for ways to quit vaping. “I think it’s clear that this approach helps young people,” Hartmann-Boyce says. “The question is, is it going to help other populations?”

Hartmann-Boyce says more relevant studies are underway, and the issue will remain high priority with Cochrane. “This is a really early area of research,” she says. “This is a living, systematic review, and we’ll be searching for new evidence monthly and updating the review as it comes out, because we know that this research is evolving.”

As always, consult your physician if you need help quitting vaping or smoking, and don't try to self-prescribe Chantix or any other drug. 

A new study conducted by researchers from University College London looked at the health impacts each individual cigarette can have on consumers’ lives. 

Based on their data collection and analysis, the researchers found that every cigarette shortens life expectancy by about 20 minutes. 

“Smoking is an expensive and deadly habit, and these findings reveal the shocking reality of this addiction, highlighting how important it is to quit,” said Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne. “The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step.”

How cigarettes affect longevity

To understand the health and longevity risks associated with smoking, the researchers analyzed data from the British Doctors Study and the Million Women Study. 

Their work showed that on average, men smoked 11.5 cigarettes per day and women smoked 9.5 cigarettes per day. 

In terms of life expectancy, the researchers found that each individual cigarette shortened smokers' lives by 20 minutes. While cigarettes affect every person differently, and a smoker's existing health conditions, total number of cigarettes smoked, and the age they started smoking all play a role, these findings highlight the real ways that cigarettes affect the body. 

The researchers also explained that the health risks that come with smoking add up over time, and smokers have the best chance at improving their health the sooner they quit. 

The team then calculated how much time consumers could add back to their lives if they quit smoking on New Year’s Day. They explained that the average smoker who has 10 cigarettes per day could save a day of their lives by January 8, a week by February 20, and 50 days by the end of the year. 

The researchers hope that these findings encourage smokers to kick the habit sooner than later. 

“Smoking has an immediate impact on your lung and heart’s health as well as significantly increasing your chance of getting a chronic illness or disability and of dying young,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeanelle de Gruchy. 

“Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your current and future health. This new year, start afresh and leave smoking in the past.” 

If you want to vape, that's your business.

But exposing kids to nicotine-containing e-liquids -- the liquid used in “vape” products -- is another matter completely.

E-liquids, especially those containing even small amounts of nicotine, can be dangerous to children -- causing injury and even death -- if they touch or drink it.

Figures from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show that from April 2022 to March 2023, 7,043 e-cigarette or e-liquid exposure cases were reported, with approximately 88% of exposures occurring among children under five years old.

Why they are dangerous

Harmful effects from drinking e-liquids can include seizure, coma, respiratory arrest and death.

Accidental exposure to e-liquids and their contents -- including nicotine – can occur through contact in the mouth, on the skin, or by inhaling the e-liquid aerosol.

Moreover, containers for storing e-liquids can seem tempting to children of all ages for many reasons. But these products are not meant for children, teens, or young adults.

Safe Storage of e-liquids

As any parent knows, small kids are curious and put all sorts of things in their mouths. If you turn away even for a few seconds, they can get into things quickly that could harm them.

Here are a few tips from the FDA for storing these products:

• Always put your e-cigarettes and/or e-liquids in a safe and elevated location, in the original containers -- and out of the reach and view of children and pets -- every time you use them.
• Ask family members, house guests, and other visitors who vape to store their bags or coats that hold e-cigarettes or e-liquids in a safe and elevated location, out of the reach and view of children and pets.
• Explain to children old enough to understand that these products can be dangerous and should not be touched. Tell them that you or another adult are the only people who should handle these products.
• Know the poison control phone number. To be prepared in case of an emergency, also add the Poison Control HELP number (800-222-1222) to your phone contacts.
• When you remove products (adult-only) from their storage locations, handle them in a way that may help to prevent kids’ exposure to e-liquids.
• Store e-liquids in their original containers and lock product caps when you’re not using them. If a bottle has a cap that turns, twist it until you cannot twist it anymore.
• Clean up any spills or splashes immediately using soap and water.

A new study conducted by researchers from the American Cancer Society pinpointed two major risk factors for consumers when it comes to developing any kind of cancer: older age and smoking status. 

“Single cancer type-specific screening recommendations are based on risk factors for that specific type of cancer,” said researcher Dr. Alpa Patel. “Our findings are encouraging as we are working to define subgroups in the general population who could benefit from enhanced cancer screening and prevention.” 

Identifying those at the highest risk of cancer

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 430,000 participants enrolled in two studies – the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort and the Cancer Prevention Study-3. They followed the participants over the course of five years, and none of them had a previous history of cancer. 

While several factors were taken into consideration, two came out as the biggest risks for developing any kind of cancer: older age and smoking status. The risk of developing cancer of any kind was higher for any current or former smokers (within 30 years of quitting) and participants over the age of 50; the risk was 25% higher for women and nearly 30% higher for men. 

The researchers also noted some risk factors that were specific to gender. For women, having a hysterectomy or tubal ligation, a high body mass index (BMI), high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes all increase the risk of cancer. For men, red meat consumption and alcohol intake proved to be dangerous to long-term health outcomes. A family history of cancer and a lack of physical activity were likely to increase the risk of cancer among both men and women. 

The researchers hope their findings will help health care providers better identify those who may need preventative cancer care. 

“As we consider the possibility that future tests may be able to identify several types of cancer, we need to begin understanding who is most at risk for developing any type of cancer,” Dr. Patel said. “These types of data are not widely available, but necessary to inform future screening options, such as blood-based multi-cancer early detection tests that could help save lives.” 

While recent studies have explored consumers’ habits related to substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study conducted by researchers from the American Cancer Society looked closely at smokers. Their report showed that rates of consumers quitting smoking dropped over the course of the pandemic and remained low for over a year. 

“Smoking cessation is an urgent public health priority given that smoking is associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and at least 12 cancers,” said researcher Dr. Priti Bandi. “It is essential to re-engage persons who smoke in serious attempts to quit smoking, considering a typical smoker tries to quit on average six times before being successful.” 

Consumers’ health is at stake

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 800,000 people enrolled in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System study from 2011 through 2020. They also looked at retail records from 2017 through 2020 that tracked purchases of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) from over 30 states across the country. 

While the research spanned nearly a decade, 2020 marked the first year that attempts to quit smoking dropped. In 2011, 65.2% of American smokers attempted to quit; by 2020, that number dropped to 63.2%. These decreases remained steady throughout the pandemic. 

Similarly, NRT sales dropped over the course of the study. Experts found that purchases were as much as 13% lower in 31 states across the country when compared to national sales projections. 

The researchers also found that certain factors made it less likely for consumers to quit smoking. Consumers with lower education levels, those with comorbidities, middle-aged people, and Black consumers were all found to be the least likely to attempt to stop smoking over the course of the pandemic. The researchers believe the stressors related to COVID-19 may have come into play here. 

“These results remind us how critical it is for clinicians and health care systems to support persons who smoke with evidence-based quitting strategies,” said researcher Dr. William Dahut. 

Moving forward, the team hopes more work is done to encourage consumers across the country to quit smoking to promote the best health outcomes. 

“Tobacco is the number one, preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for up to one-third of all cancer deaths,” said researcher Lisa Lacasse. “We know quitting tobacco isn’t easy, so we must do everything in our power to ensure individuals trying to quit have access to the cessation services they need.”