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Study shows nicotine replacements support, aid smoking cessation

This potentially saves lives and reduces the heavy health burden associated with tobacco use in this vulnerable population 05 Jul 2025 06:00pm Photo for illustrative purposes only - Pixabay OFFERING various nicotine replacements or vapes with behavioural support helps people leaving rehab stay smoke-free, Xinhua reported, citing findings from a new clinical study. The study, which tracked over 360 adults exiting detox programmes, added to growing evidence that, with consistent support and a variety of nicotine replacement options, people in recovery can achieve meaningful progress in quitting smoking, according to a release on Tuesday from Flinders University in South Australia, which led the study. Photo for illustrative purposes only - Pixabay This potentially saves lives and reduces the heavy health burden associated with tobacco use in this vulnerable population, according to the study published in the July issue of the Lancet Public Health journal. "People recovering from substance use are more than twice as likely to smoke as the general population, and far more likely to suffer and die from tobacco-related illness," said the study's lead author, Billie Bonevski, director of the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute. Participants were randomly assigned either a 12-week supply of vapes or a combination of nicotine replacement therapy products such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators, and mouth sprays. Both groups also received behavioural counselling through Quitline services, the researchers said. After nine months, 10 per cent of participants in both groups remained smoke-free, a notable achievement in a population with high smoking rates and long-term quitting is rare, the study showed. "This isn't about one therapy outperforming another -- it's about building a system that gives people the best chance to succeed," Bonevski said. Bonevski added that ongoing support and access to multiple quit tools matter more than the type of nicotine therapy, and called for smoking cessation to be fully integrated into addiction treatment. - BERNAMA-XINHUA More Like This