A Finnish randomised, controlled trial, using placebos and active drugs found that Varenicline and nicotine containing electronic cigarettes were equally effective in producing smoking cessation.
458 moderate to heavy smokers joined the study. 12 weeks of treatment produced non-smokers at the six month point. Both active treatments were twice as effective as placebo. The rates were 40.4% for e cigarettes, 43.8% for Varenicline and 19.7% for placebo. There were no serious side effects.
The researchers think that on balance Varenicline is the one to go for. It weans people off of the habit of smoking and does not contain nicotine.
Jama Internal Medicine 2024.
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