Independent Vaping and Reduced Risk Product Studies

Discover vaping and smoke-free nicotine research

A substantial body of independent research has been conducted by health authorities and researchers worldwide to understand the safety and impact of vaping and smoke-free nicotine products.

While studies are ongoing, the evidence clearly shows that vaping and smoke-free nicotine products presents a significantly reduced risk compared to smoking.

Vaping and smoke-free nicotine has proven effective as a harm reduction tool, helping millions of smokers quit, with flavoured products playing an important role in supporting their transition to a smoke-free future.

Check out the global evidence highlighting vaping and smoke-free nicotine’s potential as a practical alternative for adults seeking to reduce tobacco-related harm.

National Report on Impact of Vaping on Smokers in Ireland

Analysis carried out by the Reduced Risk Products Association (RRPA) has revealed how restrictions on vape flavours in Ireland could have a significant negative impact on public health and put thousands of smokers’ lives at risk. The data reveals that a ban on flavours could lead to over 414 million additional cigarettes being smoked and over 28,000 deaths due to smoking. Read the full report here, and what we’re calling on Irish policymakers to do to prevent this stark public health crisis.

Public Health England: E-cigarettes: An Evidence Update

This report by Public Health England highlights that using e-cigarettes is around 95% safer than smoking. The report states that “encouraging smokers who cannot or do not want to stop smoking to switch to EC could be adopted as one of the key strategies to reduce smoking related disease and death”.

Report’s key findings

Expert estimates show that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes.

Studies, including the Cochrane Review, suggest e-cigarettes can help smokers quit or reduce cigarette consumption, even among those not initially intending to quit.

While some experimentation occurs, regular use of e-cigarettes by people who have never smoked is very rare.

There is no evidence that e-cigarettes are slowing the decline in cigarette smoking among adults or youth. Instead, they may contribute to reduced smoking rates.

Public perception of e-cigarettes has become less accurate, with more people wrongly believing vaping is as harmful as smoking.

Continued monitoring, research, and balanced regulation are essential to maximise the public health opportunities presented by e-cigarettes.

When used as intended, e-cigarettes pose no risk of nicotine poisoning, though childproof packaging is essential for e-liquids.

Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation and Reduction – Cochrane Report (2014)

The Cochrane Report provides further evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in helping smokers quit or reduce smoking. The research found that e-cigarettes supported long-term smoking cessation. They also helped those unable to quit completely, reduce their cigarette consumption, outperforming placebos and showing comparable results to nicotine patches.

Report’s key findings

Smokers using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking for at least six months compared to those using non-nicotine e-cigarettes (9% vs. 4%).

One study found similar six-month quit rates for nicotine e-cigarettes and nicotine patches, though confidence intervals were wide, meaning results remain uncertain.

Smokers using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes were more likely to reduce cigarette consumption by at least 50% compared to those using placebo e-cigarettes or nicotine patches.

Reduction with e-cigarettes: 36%

Reduction with placebo e-cigarettes: 27%

Reduction with nicotine patches: 44% to 61%.

Across trials and cohort studies, no serious adverse events (SAEs) were linked to short-term e-cigarette use (up to two years). Minor side effects, such as throat irritation, were reported but diminished over time.

Further trials are needed to strengthen confidence in the findings.

Healthy Ireland Survey 2023

The Healthy Ireland Survey 2023 revealed that vaping is the number one tool successfully used by smokers who quit cigarettes in the previous year. It also revealed that the majority of vape users in Ireland (87%) are either current or former smokers.

Report’s key findings

Vaping was identified as the most popular method for successfully quitting smoking in the previous year.

87% of current vape users in Ireland are either current or former smokers.

8% of the population reported currently using e-cigarettes.

Tholos Foundation – Analysis of Flavoured Vaping Products as a Harm Reduction Method: Impact of Flavour Bans in the Real World

Report’s key findings

Adults using flavoured vaping products are more likely to quit smoking compared to those using unflavoured alternatives.

Bans can lead to a rise in cigarette sales, with a trade-off of 12 additional cigarettes sold for every flavoured vape pod removed from the market. Some vapers return to smoking, while others seek flavoured products on the black market.

Countries like Estonia, the Netherlands, Finland, Lithuania, and Denmark have implemented flavour bans, allowing only tobacco or menthol products. The European Commission is under pressure to impose a blanket flavour ban across all 27 EU member states.

In the event of flavour bans, nearly 17% of vapers indicated they would return to smoking, while 28% would seek products on the illicit market. A significant proportion would continue vaping using the remaining available flavours.

Flavour bans are often based on claims that flavours attract youth to vaping, yet academic evidence contradicts these assertions.

American Journal of Public Health: Balancing Consideration of the Risks and Benefits of E-Cigarettes

This report examines the polarised debate around vaping, exploring its health risks, its role in smoking cessation, and its impact on youth. The authors advocate for a more balanced perspective that considers both the risks for young people and the potential benefits for adult smokers in reducing smoking-related mortality.

Report’s key findings

E-cigarettes are likely far less harmful than combustible cigarettes. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021).

Vaping may cause acute respiratory issues, but smokers switching to e-cigarettes show improvements in respiratory and vascular health.

E-cigarettes expose users to far fewer toxicants compared to cigarette smoke, though some substances unique to vaping require long-term study.

Randomised trials show that nicotine e-cigarettes nearly double the success rate of smoking cessation compared to nicotine replacement therapy.

Population studies indicate that e-cigarettes are the most commonly used aid for smokers attempting to quit and are linked to significant increases in cessation.

Cigarette sales have declined more rapidly with the rise of vaping, reinforcing the products’ role as smoking substitutes.

Policies restricting e-cigarettes, such as flavour bans and taxes, may inadvertently increase cigarette smoking. For example, a Minnesota tax on e-cigarettes reduced smoking cessation rates.

Vaping poses a risk of nicotine addiction, but frequent use is far more common among youths who are current or former smokers.

Despite concerns, smoking rates among young people have declined significantly during the rise of vaping.

The “gateway” theory of vaping leading to smoking remains debated, with evidence suggesting vaping diverts more youths away from smoking than encourages uptake.

While youth vaping must be addressed, policies must not overshadow vaping’s potential to reduce smoking-related deaths among adults.

Policies should aim to reduce youth access while supporting adult smokers in switching to less harmful alternatives like e-cigarettes.

Business impact report: Forvis Mazars 2025

New research commissioned by Forvis Mazars shows the State could lose up to €85.9 million in tax revenue due to a flawed vape tax model. The report finds that the self-declaration system proposed for the new vape tax could lead to major losses in excise revenue, add pressure to struggling small retailers and drive consumers toward illicit products.

The data shows that a tax stamp system is not only more effective—it’s more enforceable. Read a repost summary here.

Red C Research of vaping consumers in 2025

New research among adult Irish vapers conducted by Red C on behalf of the Reduced Risk Products Association (RRPA) has found that 27% of vapers say they will go back to smoking or smoke more cigarettes if Government restricts the availability of flavoured vapes to just tobacco. It has also highlighted that almost 70,000 adult vapers will go back smoking or smoke more cigarettes if Government bans flavoured vapes.

See a summary report here: