Varenicline vs. Nicotine-Containing E-Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation

Nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) help people abstain from conventional cigarettes (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 1 2024 and N Engl J Med 2024; 390:601). Still, their role in smoking cessation remains uncertain, in part due to a paucity of trials directly comparing e-cigarettes to first-line smoking cessation aids.

To compare the effectiveness of varenicline versus nicotine-containing e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, researchers in Finland recruited 460 adults who smoked daily (median smoking history, 30 years) and were motivated to quit. Participants were randomized to one of three 12-week interventions: nicotine-containing e-cigarettes with placebo tablets, varenicline tablets with nicotine-free e-cigarettes, or placebo tab…