Flavoured vape products linked to higher tobacco quit rates

The study followed 37,000 adult smokers who had recently purchased Juul products over a six-month period.

Use of Juul products in non-tobacco flavours, such as mint, menthol and fruit, was clearly associated with higher switching rates compared to those who used Juul products in tobacco flavours, said Dr Erik M Augustson, senior director of behavioural research and interventions at Juul Labs.

“There has been an active discussion about the role of flavours in supporting adult smokers who want to switch from combustible cigarettes and, at Juul Labs, we are committed to driving research to inform these discussions,” he added.

Adult smokers who primarily used mint/menthol flavours were 14% more likely to have abstained from combustible cigarettes for more than 30 days compared to those primarily using tobacco flavours.

Meanwhile, adult smokers who primarily used other non-tobacco flavours were also 7% more likely to have abstained from combustible cigarettes.

“These results add to a growing body of evidence that suggest that use of vapor products in non tobacco flavours may potentially help adult smokers switch from cigarettes,” Augustson added.

The flavour study comes in the same week that further new clinical research highlighted the significantly reduced health impact of vaping compared to smoking.

Levels of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide in second-hand smoke were 99% lower from vaping products compared to combustible cigarettes, the clinical study, also commissioned by Juul Labs, found.

“These findings align with the current scientific understanding of the role alternative nicotine delivery systems can play in the potential harm reduction for adult smokers and the corresponding environmental impact for non-smokers for the good of public health,” Dr Josh Vose, vice president of medical and clinical affairs at Juul Labs added.

Mint, menthol and other non-tobacco flavoured vaping products are more effective than tobacco flavours at helping adult smokers to quit combustible cigarettes, independent research commissioned by vaping brand Juul has shown.