Some vapers are turning to cigarettes to try to quit nicotine

Some people who use electronic cigarettes are turning back to conventional cigarettes in an attempt to quit their nicotine addiction, according to Bloomberg, which cites people and experts familiar with the trend.

The idea is based on the fact that both products contain nicotine, but cigarettes are more restrictive and unpleasant to use. Unlike vaping, smoking produces a strong smell, can irritate the throat and generally requires people to go outside, leading some users to believe these inconveniences can help them smoke less and eventually quit.

A survey of more than 13,000 adults in Great Britain by Action on Smoking and Health found that cigarettes were the second-most-used method for quitting vaping, after nicotine patches and gum. Nearly one in five people who had tried to quit vaping said they had used cigarettes as part of the attempt.

However, addiction specialists advise against the approach. Elias Klemperer, a professor at the University of Vermont who specializes in addiction, warned that switching from electronic cigarettes to conventional cigarettes means moving from a less harmful product to a more harmful one. Experts also warn that some people may end up both smoking and vaping rather than quitting nicotine altogether.

The specialists cited in the report agree that, despite cigarettes being more inconvenient to use, smoking is not considered a safe way to quit nicotine.