A new update to the Cochrane review on electronic cigarettes was published on August 26, 2026. It provides important data on the use of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes by adults seeking to quit smoking.
The finding attracting the most attention: the authors conclude, with a high level of certainty, that nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes lead to more people quitting smoking than conventional nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum.
What does the new 2026 Cochrane analysis contain?
The review is a “living systematic review,” meaning that it is regularly updated as new studies become available. In its 2026 version, it includes 80 randomized trials involving 29,861 participants.
This scale does not mean that all questions have been definitively settled, but it helps improve the precision of the estimates compared with earlier versions.
Vaping or nicotine replacement therapy: what was the result?
Cochrane reports high-certainty evidence showing that nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes increase smoking cessation rates compared with nicotine replacement therapy. The estimate corresponds to approximately 4 additional people out of 100 quitting smoking with a nicotine-containing electronic cigarette rather than with nicotine replacement therapy.
This result concerns smoking cessation in the studies analyzed. It does not mean that vaping is risk-free or that an electronic cigarette should be used by someone who does not smoke.
What limitations should be kept in mind?
The authors continue to monitor adverse effects and emphasize the importance of collecting more long-term data. Product composition is also evolving with the market, which supports the need for continued research.
It is also important to distinguish the effectiveness observed in trials from an individual smoker's situation. A healthcare professional or Tabac Info Service can help choose an appropriate quitting strategy.
What role does nicotine play?
Nicotine is the substance that sustains dependence, but the delivery method and dosage strongly influence a vaper's experience. For adults who already vape, our guide What nicotine strength should you choose for your e-liquid? explains the main guidelines without replacing medical advice.
We also detail the differences in formulation in Nicotine salts or classic nicotine: what are the differences?.
What about the hardware?
Cochrane studies evaluate vaping as a tool for reducing or quitting smoking, not a specific brand or model. For adult vapers who already use a pod, VAPEVO lists, for example, the Vaporesso XROS 6 Mini Kit. This mention is an example of hardware available on the market and does not mean that it is a medical device or a product validated by Cochrane.
A topic that will return with No Tobacco Month 2026
The publication comes a few weeks before the new edition of No Tobacco Month. We have therefore devoted a specific article to the role of electronic cigarettes in the context of No Tobacco Month 2026, distinguishing official French tools from the results of international research.
FAQ
Does Cochrane say that vaping is safe?
No. The review mainly concerns effectiveness for quitting smoking and the adverse events observed. Vaping is not risk-free, and long-term data continue to be monitored.
Is the electronic cigarette more effective than patches in this review?
Yes, the 2026 review reports high-certainty evidence favoring nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes over nicotine replacement therapy for quitting smoking.
Does this study concern non-smokers?
No. The interest studied here primarily concerns people who smoke and are seeking to quit. A non-smoker has no reason to start vaping.
Sources
- Cochrane — Vapes help more people quit smoking than other methods, August 26, 2026
- Cochrane Evidence — Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation
Vaping is not risk-free. This article does not constitute medical advice. If you are planning to quit smoking, a healthcare professional can help you choose a method.
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