Can you quit smoking with prescription vaping? A leading Australian pharmacist weighs in

Quitting smoking is hard. 

If you’ve ever smoked or know somebody who smokes, you’ll know this. Even when looking at the detrimental impact it can have, many people struggle to say their final goodbye to cigarettes. 

As pharmacists, we know that smoking leads to disease and disability, and can harm nearly every organ in the body. I’m sure that you know this, too. 

But we also know that quitting smoking is incredibly difficult – and something that many struggle to do successfully.  

For over 30 years I have watched patients try to quit smoking. But smoking is addictive and stopping is not easy for the majority of those who wish to stop. I see patients try several types of ‘quit smoking’ programs, often with little success. 

But there are other ways to finally kick the addiction for good. prescription vaping is a tool to help you on your journey to stop smoking – let’s talk about it. 

Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that use vapour rather than smoke; essentially, the vape will heat the liquid inside it until it becomes a vapour, which you then inhale. 

Vapes can differ in size, shape, colour, and flavour, but most of those containing nicotine will have around one-third to half the nicotine of a regular cigarette – making them an alternative to smoking, and an excellent tool to help you quit smoking cigarettes for good. 

As of October 2021, vapes containing nicotine now require a prescription in Australia, and can only be prescribed by a health professional. Buying illegally can be dangerous, as there are no regulations or standards enforced. Prescription vapes ensure you’re getting TGA-approved standards.

If you’ve tried to quit smoking before to no avail, prescription vapes, in my opinion, are often the best course of action to take steps to actively reduce your nicotine consumption, and eventually quit altogether. 

When I was first looking into prescription vaping, I was unsure about its place for patients looking to quit smoking. Prescription vaping has allowed the majority of my patients to not only stop smoking but also eventually reduce the strength of the nicotine in their vape. Over time, they’ve also reduced how often they use the vape at all. 

I have had more patients manage to stop smoking in the past year than I have seen as a pharmacist over the past decade. They have said they have better outcomes not only for their health but also for their household budget.

And it’s not just my patients that have seen this success – a 2019 study showed that 19% of participants had quit smoking within a year – 10% more than those who used alternative methods like patches or gum (who had a success rate of 9%). The use of prescription vapes also lessened coughing and phlegm production. 

The NHS also states that you’re around twice as likely to quit smoking with a prescription vape over other methods. 

The fact that they see a higher success rate compared to other methods like gum or patches is already reason enough to use prescription vapes to quit smoking, but the benefits don’t stop there.

It comes as no surprise that classic cigarettes containing tobacco harbour a whole list of harmful chemicals (+7,000) that, once inside your lungs, can cause cancer and other life-altering diseases. With reduced nicotine, prescription vapes are much better for you.

The amount of money an average smoker spends on cigarettes is huge. In the city of Glen Eira in 2019, we had over 15,500 people who smoke – that’s 1 in 10 people over the age of 18. Every single day, $336,000 is spent on cigarettes. 

This means that on average every smoker spends $640 per month.  This puts enormous financial pressure on household spending and causes untold harm to the health of both smokers and passive smokers.

While prescription vapes do incur some upfront costs, ultimately you could end up spending a lot less – in fact, you can potentially save up to $500 in your first month of quitting using a prescription vape. I have had a lot of patients also comment on how much better financially they are doing now they have switched to vaping. 

Secondhand smoke can have a detrimental effect on those around you (all the more reason to quit smoking!). Prescription vapes release vapour and, because it evaporates so quickly, you’ll have next to no impact on those around you. 

No burning tobacco, no smoke, no smell. 

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re well aware of the pitfalls of smoking cigarettes. Smoking negatively impacts almost every single organ in your body, including your lung function, heart health, fertility, and vision.

Smoking is also a leading cause of cancer and can have a damaging effect on your family – whether that be from losing you to a cancer-related illness or suffering from secondhand smoke. 

It can also negatively impact your mental health – and generally reduces your lifespan. When it comes to quitting smoking, the question isn’t whether you should – it’s when. And that time is now.

As a pharmacist, I am always so pleased when I see a patient stop smoking knowing that the quality of life can only get better for them and their families. Quitting smoking will improve your health, reduce the risk of a variety of health conditions, and put you in a better place financially. 

For a prescription vape that may help you quit smoking, Best & Well can help. We can connect you with one of our doctors or pharmacists who can prescribe you a vape to stop smoking, if they believe it is the best treatment – all done easily online. Book a consultation today, and finally quit smoking for good. 

Sharon Miller

Consultant Pharmacist

Dip Pharm, MPS, AACPA

Sharon has a broad background in pharmacy having worked as a pharmacist both in Australia and New Zealand for over 30 years, working in both community and hospital pharmacy.

2012 – Qualified as a consultant pharmacist.

2018 – Qualified to be a DNA accredited pharmacist.

Special interest in medicinal cannabis and alternative medicines