Amid all the controversy regarding whether or not electronic cigarettes are actually better for you than traditional cigarettes a new study has shown that they are better for people who are trying to quit smoking. According to the University College London's Robert West, Ph.D. 'E-cigarettes could substantially improve public health because of their widespread appeal and the huge health gains associated with stopping smoking.'
Looking at the actual statistics, the deaths and health concerns associated with cigarette smoking generally come from breathing in toxins other than the nicotine found within the smoke. The benefit and attraction of electronic cigarettes, then, is that they provide the simulated effect of smoking a cigarette but without all the danger. The vapor is even heated so it feels like a cigarette and the smoker still gets a dose of nicotine, which helps to fight cravings.
Basically, if you are looking to stop smoking, this study shows the electronic might be able to help you.
Smoking cigarettes is a psychosomatic kind of addiction. Yes, nicotine is addictive but smoking also becomes a behavior. So, smoking an electronic cigarette provides a dose of the addictive chemical while also feeding the behavioral aspect of smoking, too. Also, e-cigarettes have the same relative benefits regardless of your age or your level of nicotine addiction.
This research observed on a study of 5,863 smokers who responded to survey questions between 2009 and 2014. All of the smokers involved wanted to quit but did not want to use prescription medication or professional assistance. The survey showed that of those patients who used electronic cigarettes, 20 percent were successful. While that might sound like a low statistic, keep in mind that this is 60 percent better than people who try to quit cold turkey or by using nicotine replacement like patches or gum.