Written by Aisha Saleem, Pharmacist & Health Writer at PharmaHealths.com
Last Updated: July 18, 2026
What’s the best way to quit vaping?
The most effective approach combines a medication or nicotine replacement option with structured behavioral support, rather than relying on willpower alone. As a pharmacist, I’ve supported many patients through this process, and the ones who succeed long term are almost always the ones who treat quitting as a plan rather than a single moment of resolve. There’s no single right method for everyone, but understanding your real options makes the process far less overwhelming.
Does nicotine replacement therapy actually work for quitting vaping?
Yes, nicotine replacement therapy works by giving your body a controlled, steadily decreasing dose of nicotine without the rapid spikes that vaping produces, which helps ease withdrawal without keeping you locked in the same reward cycle. Options include patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators, and mouth or nasal sprays. The NHS notes that nicotine replacement therapy is typically used for eight to twelve weeks, with the dose gradually reduced and then stopped once you’re ready. Many people find combining a patch, which delivers a steady background dose, with a faster acting option-like gum for sudden cravings works better than relying on just one product alone. This combination approach is often more effective because it manages both baseline withdrawal and sudden craving spikes at the same time.
What is varenicline and how does it work?
Varenicline is a prescription medication that works differently from nicotine replacement therapy, since it doesn’t contain nicotine at all. Instead, it attaches to the same nicotine receptors in your brain that nicotine normally binds to, which reduces the pleasurable effects of vaping or smoking while also easing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. NHS England reports that varenicline can double or even triple a person’s chances of quitting compared to going without any treatment, and that it has been shown to be more effective than using nicotine patches or gum alone. A typical course lasts around twelve weeks, and your doctor, pharmacist, or stop smoking advisor can help determine whether it’s the right option for you.
Is varenicline safe to use?
For most adults, yes, though it does carry some common side effects worth knowing about. Varenicline was temporarily withdrawn in 2021 due to manufacturing concerns, but a reformulated version has since been approved as safe and reintroduced in several countries. Common side effects include nausea, difficulty sleeping, vivid dreams, and mood changes, and while earlier concerns were raised about a possible link to suicidal thoughts, a large, well conducted study found no evidence supporting that concern. Varenicline isn’t suitable for everyone, including people under 18 or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so this is a conversation to have directly with your prescriber.
What is cytisine, and is it a new option?
Cytisine, sometimes called cytisinicline, is a newer plant derived medication that works similarly to varenicline by blocking nicotine’s effects in the brain. According to NHS guidance on nicotine free quitting medicines, cytisine has been used for decades in some countries and offers a shorter treatment course with generally good tolerability. However, availability can vary by country, and it may not yet be accessible in all regions, so it’s worth checking locally with your doctor or pharmacist. If varenicline isn’t suitable for you, or you’re looking for an alternative with a shorter commitment, this is worth raising with your health care provider or pharmacist.
Can you combine nicotine replacement therapy with varenicline or cytisine?
Nicotine replacement therapy products such as patches, gum, and lozenges are commonly combined with each other, for example using a patch for steady control and gum for breakthrough cravings. Guidance from Patient info advises caution when combining nicotine replacement therapy with other stop smoking medications like varenicline or bupropion, since these medications work by blocking nicotine’s effects rather than replacing it, and combining approaches doesn’t always have well established safety and efficacy data behind it. In some cases, healthcare professionals may recommend specific combinations under supervision, but this should never be done without medical guidance. This is a nuanced area, so it’s worth discussing your specific situation with a professional rather than assuming any combination is automatically safe.
Is cold turkey ever a good approach?
For some people, yes, particularly those with strong personal motivation and fewer physical dependence symptoms, but the evidence generally favors using some form of support. Quitting cold turkey without any aid tends to have a lower success rate than using nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, or cytisine alongside behavioral support. If you’ve tried cold turkey before and it didn’t stick, that’s not a personal failure, it usually just means your level of physical dependence needs more structured support than willpower alone can provide.
What if you relapse while trying to quit?
Relapse is common, and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that quitting isn’t possible for you. Most people who eventually quit smoking or vaping for good needed multiple attempts before it stuck. What matters most after a relapse is going back to your quit plan quickly, rather than treating one slip as a reason to give up on the process entirely. Adjusting your approach, perhaps trying a different medication, adding behavioral support, or setting a new quit date, is often more useful than repeating the exact same attempt that didn’t work before.
Where can you get support to quit vaping?
Stop smoking support services in many countries offer one to one or group support alongside access to nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, or cytisine, often through local pharmacies, healthcare providers, or dedicated clinics. Support may also be available by phone or video call if attending in person isn’t practical for you. Combining professional support with medication consistently produces better outcomes than trying to manage the process alone, so reaching out is a genuinely useful first step rather than an unnecessary one.
Conclusion
Quitting vaping is rarely about willpower alone. Nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, and cytisine each work differently, and combining the right option with proper support gives you a real, evidence-based chance at quitting for good. If one approach doesn’t work the first time, that’s information to adjust your plan with, not a reason to stop trying.
FAQs
Q1: What actually helps people quit vaping for good?
A combination of medication, such as nicotine replacement therapy or varenicline, along with structured behavioral support consistently produces better results than relying on willpower alone.
Q2: How long does it take to quit vaping?
Treatment courses typically last eight to twelve weeks, though cravings and the risk of relapse can persist for months, and many people need multiple attempts before quitting sticks long term. Withdrawal symptoms often peak within the first two to three days and gradually improve over the following weeks, although psychological cravings may last longer.
Q3: Can you use nicotine patches and gum together?
Yes, combining a steady-dose patch with a faster-acting option like gum for breakthrough cravings is a commonly recommended approach within nicotine replacement therapy.
Q4: Is cold turkey more effective than tapering off gradually?
Evidence generally favors using nicotine replacement therapy or medication over stopping abruptly without support, though highly motivated individuals can succeed with cold turkey in some cases.
Q5: What should you do if you relapse while trying to quit?
Return to your quit plan as quickly as possible rather than treating the relapse as a failure, and consider adjusting your approach, such as trying a different medication or adding professional support.
Call to Action
If you’re curious about why quitting can feel so difficult in the first place, I’d also encourage you to read my article on nicotine addiction, which explains exactly what’s happening in your brain during withdrawal and cravings.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any smoking or vaping cessation treatment.
References:
• NHS – Stop Smoking Services Help You Quit
• NHS – Quit Smoking with Nicotine-Free Medicines
• NHS England – NHS Rolls Out Stop-Smoking Pill to Help Tens of Thousands Quit
• NHS Inform – Stop Smoking Medication
