Vaping can help disadvantaged Australians quit smoking. What now for clinical practice?
February 03, 2026 by mja.com.au
Vaping can help disadvantaged Australians quit smoking. What now for clinical practice?
Vaping has shown promise as a smoking cessation aid, especially for individuals with socio-economic hardships. A clinical trial in Australia compared vaping with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation among low-SES individuals. Results showed participants using vaping devices were three times more likely to achieve continuous abstinence compared to NRT. Vaping was also associated with fewer adverse events. Challenges include long-term vaping risks and limited access to authorized vapes in pharmacies. While vaping can assist in quitting smoking, it is not a guaranteed solution, and relapses are common. Australia's strict regulations aim to tackle illicit vaping and smoking markets. Ongoing research and support are needed to maximize the potential of vaping as a smoking cessation tool.
11.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.4 million current smokers in Australia 12.90% of men are current smokers but only 9.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
