A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals promising results for young adults seeking to quit vaping, with 45% of participants successfully breaking their nicotine addiction within three months of completing a structured cessation program.
The research, published on December 10, included more than 500 young adults aged 18-24 who were recruited through social media platforms. Nearly 80% of participants reported daily vaping habits before entering the study.
"This study provides hope that young adult vapers want to quit and can be successful in breaking their addiction to nicotine," said researcher Liz Klein, chair of health behavior and health promotion at Ohio State University College of Public Health, who led the investigation.
Multi-faceted Approach Shows Strong Results
Researchers randomly assigned participants to one of four intervention groups. All participants received phone-based quitline coaching, while three groups received additional support through either mailed nicotine replacement therapy, a mobile app offering text and video support, or a combination of all available resources.
The study's unexpectedly high overall success rate—with 45% of participants no longer vaping at the three-month follow-up—made it difficult for researchers to determine which specific combination of quit supports worked best. However, the universal inclusion of quitline coaching across all groups suggests that phone-based support plays a crucial role in successful cessation.
Contrary to researchers' expectations, most study participants reported they would recommend quitline calls to others seeking to quit vaping. This finding challenges the assumption that young adults would prefer text-based communication over telephone conversations.
"We are very excited to see that this cessation approach worked so well in this group," Klein noted. "Next, we'd love to determine how to best facilitate quitting among young people who vape and smoke traditional cigarettes."
Text-Based Support Shows Promise
A separate evidence review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on January 8, 2025, examined nine clinical trials involving more than 5,000 participants to identify effective vaping cessation methods.
This systematic review found strong evidence supporting text-based quitting programs that deliver motivational messages and practical tips for overcoming nicotine addiction.
"I think it's clear that this approach helps young people," said Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and senior researcher on the review. "The question is, is it going to help other populations?"
Pharmaceutical Options Show Potential
The Cochrane review also identified varenicline—a prescription medication commonly used for smoking cessation—as potentially effective for vaping cessation. Varenicline works by stimulating nicotine receptors in the brain, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Evidence regarding other nicotine replacement therapies for vaping cessation showed some possible benefit but was deemed too imprecise to draw definitive conclusions.
"Healthcare professionals now have initial evidence for specific approaches they can recommend, particularly for younger people wanting to quit vaping," said Alisa Butler, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford and co-lead author of the review. "However, we urgently need more research to explore these and other approaches."
Addressing a Growing Public Health Concern
These findings come at a critical time, as vaping rates among young adults remain concerning. According to the Ohio State study, in 2020, nearly one in four (19%) young adults ages 18-20 and 14% of those ages 21-24 reported vaping.
The U.S. Surgeon General declared e-cigarette use an epidemic in 2016, highlighting concerns about nicotine addiction and its potential harm to developing brains.
"We want to know how we can help young people not develop a lifelong addiction to nicotine, and how to make sure they're not switching to cigarettes, which comes with such a high toll in terms of both death and disease," Klein emphasized.
As research in this area continues to evolve, these studies provide valuable insights for healthcare providers and public health officials working to address vaping addiction among young adults. The combined evidence suggests that a multi-faceted approach incorporating both technological solutions and human connection may offer the best path forward for those seeking to quit vaping.
