E-cigarettes can help quitters

Scientists have designed an 'e-cigarette' which they claim can reduce people's urge to smoke and even relieve withdrawal symptoms.

A new study by the University of Auckland has provided the first evidence that nicotine delivered through electronic cigarettes can help reduce one's desire to smoke, the Tobacco Control journal reported.

"The e-cigarettes that we tested appeared to be as effective as a standard nicotine replacement therapy inhalator in reducing the desire to smoke and relieving cigarette withdrawal symptoms.

"Our results indicate that e-cigarettes have potential as a method to help people stop smoking, in the same ways as a nicotine inhalator. However, our findings should be seen as preliminary and need to be confirmed for this and other e- cigarette brands," lead researcher Prof Chris Bullen said.

E-cigarettes are electronic nicotine delivery devices that resemble cigarettes but do not use tobacco.

They release a small dose of nicotine with each 'puff'.

"E-cigarettes are popular in the US and Asia where people report buying them to reduce the cost of smoking, cut down on cigarette consumption, use in smoke-free places, relieve tobacco withdrawal symptoms, or help quit smoking. But this is the first reputable clinical study to actually examine their effect on smokers," Prof Bullen said.