Supporting vapers to quit
SUPPORTING VAPERS TO QUIT
It is important to discuss how to stop with vapers when they are ready to move on from nicotine:
- NICE guidelines recommend discussing with ex-smokers how to stop vaping when they are ready to do so7
- The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) has published guidelines on how to support those who want to quit vaping8
You can support nicotine vapers who are ready to quit by following these steps:
You can identify those ready to quit vaping through your day-today conversations with customers. Look out for those who want to quit vaping who may benefit from an NRT licensed for them:
- They may self-identify as wanting to quit vaping
- They may say they’re unhappy with their vaping habit
If they vape:
“How long do you intend to continue vaping or using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes?”7
Advise on how to stop vaping if they are ready to move on:7
- If they want to quit, there is a medicine licensed specifically for them
- Nicorette® QuickMist Mouthspray provides a measured dose of nicotine to help relieve cravings6
- The recommended dosage is 1-2 sprays every 30 minutes to 1 hour, up to a maximum of 64 sprays a day
- It acts quickly to help relieve and prevent cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms
- Different flavours are available
- As soon as they feel able, they should gradually reduce the number of sprays used each day until they have stopped completely
NICE advises that you share the following information with patients:
- If they used to smoke, e-cigarettes should be used for long enough to prevent a return to smoking7
- Any smoking is harmful so they should stop smoking tobacco completely7
References
1. Action on Smoking and Health. Use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among adults in Great Britain. August 2023. https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Use-of-e-cigarettes-among-adults-in-Great-Britain-2023.pdf (Accessed 28 05 2024)
2. Attitudes & Behaviours Vapers and e-Cig users. Sept 2022. Data on file
3. Hughes JR et al. Withdrawal symptoms from e-cigarette abstinence among former smokers: a pre–post clinical trial.
Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 22:734–739
4. Simpson KA et al. Characterizing symptoms of e-cigarette dependence: a qualitative study of young Adults. Public Health 2021; 21:959
5. Prochaska JJ and Benowitz NL. Current advances in research in treatment and recovery: Nicotine addiction. Sci Adv 2019; 5:10
6. Nicorette QuickMist 1mg/spray mouth spray SmPC
7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence (NG209)
Updated 2022. [Online]. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng209
8. National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT). Supporting clients who want to stop vaping. 2022. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ncsct.co.uk/library/view/pdf/Supporting-stopping-vaping-2023.pdf
Online references last accessed June 2024