# E-cigarette use and smoking cessation debates

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/e-cigarette-use-and-smoking-cessation-debates
> Updated: 2026-10-12T12:07:04.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Medical professionals and researchers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have proposed that e-cigarettes be utilized as a tool for smoking cessation. A communication published in JAMA suggests that electronic nicotine delivery systems be considered alongside traditional nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gums.

While the use of vapes is noted as a potential option for quitting smoking, experts highlight ongoing debate regarding their long-term safety and efficacy. Nancy Rigotti, a professor at Harvard Medical School, has described e-cigarettes as “one of the most controversial topics in medicine and public health.”

In the United Kingdom, statistical data indicates a shift in consumption habits, with e-cigarette users surpassing traditional smokers for the second consecutive year. In 2025, approximately 5.4 million people used e-cigarettes, compared to roughly 4.8 million traditional smokers.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: Researchers suggest e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool

International experts suggest doctors discuss e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, despite ongoing debates regarding their safety and long-term efficacy.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/researchers-suggest-e-cigarettes-as-a-smoking-cessation-tool

### 2026-10-06: E-cigarettes recognized as smoking cessation tool in US guidelines

New medical guidelines in the US recognize e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, while UK data shows e-cigarette users have officially surpassed traditional smokers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/e-cigarettes-recognized-as-smoking-cessation-tool-in-us-guidelines

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Cite as: E-cigarette use and smoking cessation debates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/e-cigarette-use-and-smoking-cessation-debates