How Do Electronic Cigarettes Compare with Other Interventions for Smoking Cessation?

The original article on which this summary is based has been retracted after irregularities in the data calculations were identified.

Evidence suggests electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum, for smoking cessation (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 1 2019 and N Engl J Med 2019; 380:629). In this trial from China, researchers evaluated e-cigarettes, NRT, and varenicline for helping smokers quit.

In this 3-month intervention, 1068 smokers (age range, 25–45) were randomized to cartridge-based e-cigarettes (30 mg/mL nicotine salt for 2 weeks and 50 mg/mL after that), varenicline (at standard doses), or NRT gum (2 mg for smokers of ≤20 cigarettes/day and 4 mg for smoke…