Today (28 January 2020) sees in a major shift in policy from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) with the released of a guide for health professionals for reducing smoking rates which includes the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) as a second-line aid for smokers wanting to quit smoking. (Supporting smoking cessation: A guide for health professionals (2nd edition) (“the guide”)).

Nicholas Zwar, chairman of the expert advisory group behind the RACPG guide mentioned that the first-line aid were those products that have been tested and approved by the TGA but if a smoker has not succeeded in quitting using these methods (eg, nicotine patches and gums) and they are interested in nicotine vaping, there is some evidence of benefit and they could be considered as an aid.

The guide does stipulate caveats that smokers should be aware the long-term health effects of vaping are unknown.

For further detailed reading about the RACGPs recommendations see:

A bold plan to help more Australians to quit smoking 28 Jan 2020

Supporting smoking cessation: A guide for health professionals Chapter 2 Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation

SMH: 28 Jan 2020 GPs cautiously recommend e-cigarettes to help smokers give up