Trying to quit smoking can be a difficult challenge for those who choose to undertake it. The nicotine withdrawals alone can make it hard to stay on track on any smoking cessation plan. This is where e-cigarettes come in.  E-cigarettes offer a step down plan to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

An electronic cigarette or “e-cigarette” is comprised of three basic parts. It contains a cartridge of nicotine, a lithium ion battery and a vaporizer. An e-cigarette functions by heating the nicotine, and the smoker then inhales the vapor that is created. The water vapor that is exhaled by the smoker appears to be smoke, but is not.

This means that e-cigarettes do not create second hand smoke, which makes them easy to use in many places without fear of violating smoking bans. It should be noted, however, that some places have or are trying to include the battery-operated electronic cigarettes in smoking ban laws, so local laws should be consulted before indulging in an e-cigarette.

Even though the FDA does not allow e-cigarettes to be used as smoking cessation devices, some people have used e-cigarettes are used to aid with smoking cessation. One company, E-CigaretteDirect even offers  a nicotine step down program that includes nicotine cartridges for the e-cigarettes that contain various levels of nicotine in them. The highest amount is used first, with lower nicotine level cartridges used later on, followed by no nicotine cartridges. Some users may find it helpful to alternate between cartridges for the prior level and new level as they work their way through the step down program.

How effective are e-cigarettes with smoking cessation? The Clinical Trials Research Unit at the University of Auckland conducted a study in which it was shown that e-cigarettes can be an effective tool with smoking cessation. Participants had a reduced desire to smoke and gained relief from nicotine withdrawal symptoms by using e-cigarettes. The results of this study were published in the Tobacco Control journal. *Please note that the FDA does not approve of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.

That study is not the only one that had positive results for users of e-cigarettes. A separate clinical trial was conducted by Dr. Eissenberg regarding the effects of electronic cigarettes. In this study, it was revealed that electronic cigarettes exposed users to less nicotine than traditional tobacco cigarettes, and there was no increase in participant heart rates. The decreased amount of nicotine did not increase cravings or withdrawal symptoms, however. In fact, the opposite occurred. Participants in the study experienced suppression of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

E-cigarettes offer users the oral and tactile sensations of smoking a traditional tobacco cigarette, which can benefit those trying to quit smoking. The low, stepped down doses of nicotine can help ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings, as evidenced by these research studies.