American Study Highlights Alternative Nicotine Products as the Most Effective for Smoking Cessation

The National Health Interview Survey has released updated findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how adults in the U.S. use nicotine products, prescription medications, and other methods to quit smoking.

More than 27 000 participants

The CDC's nationally representative survey involved more than 27 000 participants. The analysis focused on adults who reported successfully quitting smoking for at least six months over the past year, as well as the methods they employed. Led by researchers Floe Foxon and Raymond Niaura, the study also included over 1,700 individuals who attempted to quit smoking but were unsuccessful in the same timeframe.

Demographics of Successful Quitters

The findings reveal that 2.9 million adults in the U.S. successfully quit smoking last year. Most were men, non-Hispanic white, under the age of 55, college-educated, heterosexual, not experiencing depression, and consumed alcohol.

Which Methods Are the Most Effective for Quitting?

The study identified the most popular methods used to quit smoking:

• Nicotine products (54%)
• E-cigarettes combined with other methods (41%)
• E-cigarettes as the sole method (26%)
• Prescription medications (8%)
• Other methods not involving nicotine or prescription medications (6%)

Vaping Linked to Higher Sucess Rates

The study also found that 13.1 million adults tried but failed to quit smoking. Those who succeeded were more likely to be younger, have a college education, and use e-cigarettes as part of their quitting strategy. The researchers emphasized that many adults continue to attempt quitting without any assistance. As a result, targeted interventions should focus on groups with lower success rates and promote evidence-based methods for smoking cessation.

Further Reading

The study Use of nicotine products, prescription drug products, and other methods to stop smoking by US adults in the 2022 National Health Interview Survey, can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-024-03847-6