A recent clinical study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) highlighted the effectiveness of varenicline, an FDA-approved smoking cessation medication, in helping adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 25 quit vaping.
A revealing clinical trial
The study recruited 261 participants divided into three groups:
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The first group received varenicline, weekly 20-minute behavioral counseling sessions, and a free text-based support program called “This is Quitting.”
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The second group followed the same protocol, but with a placebo instead of varenicline.
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The third group only used the SMS support service.
Results were assessed over a 12-week period, with saliva tests to measure cotinine, a biomarker of nicotine use.
Significant results
The observed abstinence rates were as follows:
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51% of participants who took varenicline stopped vaping.
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14% in the placebo group.
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6% in the group using only SMS support.
Three months after the end of treatment, 28% of varenicline users were still abstinent, compared to 7% in the placebo group and 4% in the SMS group.
Security and implications
Varenicline was well tolerated, with no major adverse effects reported. No participant substituted vaping for traditional cigarettes. Already approved for smoking cessation in adults, varenicline can be prescribed to adolescents as young as 16, providing an immediate treatment option for this age group.
Future prospects
This study represents a major step forward in the fight against nicotine addiction among young people. She emphasizes the importance of combining pharmacological approaches with behavioral support to maximize the chances of success. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of varenicline in younger adolescents and those who use both cigarettes and vaping products.
