About Us

Why this study?

This study is about supporting people to stop vaping. We talked to former vapers in New Zealand to find out what strategies they used to quit. Some have told us that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) helped them on their journey, whist others told us they used a nicotine tapering process (that is, they reduced both the nicotine strength and the frequency of vaping over time). What we don’t know is which of these two methods is the best – or perhaps they are equally effective. By joining the study you are not only supported to quit vaping, but the information you share with us will help other vapers know which method is the best to use to quit vaping.

The study has been given ethics approval from the Northern B ethics committee (ref: 2024 EXP 21277).

Download Participant Information Sheet (PIS) in:

English

Te Reo

Which products will be used?

What is a nicotine tapering plan?

A nicotine tapering plan is a written document that will guide and support you to slowly reduce the amount of nicotine that you vape over time and slowly reduce how often you vape nicotine.

What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy?

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a type of medicine that has been proven to help some people quit smoking. NRT may help you quit vaping, as it provides you with a low level of nicotine which enables you to better manage any cravings you have to vape. In this study we will be providing two types of NRT which are typically used together - a nicotine patch and a nicotine mouth spray.

Benefits

Manage Withdrawal

The trial products may help you cope with nicotine withdrawal, and to quit vaping.

Improved Health

If you stop vaping you may experience a reduction in any vaping-related side effects, such as dry mouth or cough.

Helping Others

By joining this study, you’ll be helping others in the future who want to quit vaping.

Reduce Risk to Whanau

Stopping vaping will benefit the health of family/whānau and the community. For example, the risk of accidental poisoning from exposure to nicotine e-liquid will be reduced.

Remove Potential Risk

Given the risk of long-term vaping remains unknown, stopping vaping is likely to reduce any, as yet unknown, health risks.

Save Money

If you stop vaping, you will save money.

"We talked to people who vaped nicotine, and many asked for help to quit.
We have listened."

Assoc. Professor George Laking

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Oncology, New Zealand

Meet the Team

Research and Leadership

Assoc. Professor George Laking

Principal Investigator

Professor Chris Bullen

Co-Investigator

Professor Natalie Walker

Co-Investigator

Professor Vili Nosa

Pasifika Co-Investigator

Professor Lion Shahab

Co-Investigator

Professor Jamie Brown

Co-Investigator

Dr Amanda Palmer

Co-Investigator

Project Management and Coordination

Dr Amanda Calder

Project Manager

Sharon Tang

Project Coordinator

Zina Hall

Project Support Assistant

Our Supporters

This study is funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and is being led by researchers at the University of Auckland, University College London (UK) and the Medical University of South Carolina (USA). The study is managed by the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI), at the University of Auckland.

We have no link with the tobacco industry.

General

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