Cochrane is an independent, international, not-for-profit organization, renowned for producing systematic reviews on health topics, including e-cigarettes. These reviews are invaluable tools for guiding public and clinical health decisions worldwide.
Cochrane's main objective is to produce high-quality systematic reviews. These reviews rigorously analyze all the data from clinical studies on a topic, drawing reliable conclusions to guide health care decisions. The organization stands out for its meticulous methodology, producing meta-analyses based on the best available evidence.
Visit the French Cochrane website and find their scientific reviews
Comprising researchers from over 190 countries, the Cochrane Institute compiles and analyzes data from numerous scientific studies to provide transparent, reliable and unbiased conclusions. It also regularly updates its reviews to incorporate the latest research. Cochrane receives no commercial funding and has no conflicts of interest, guaranteeing the integrity and objectivity of its work. It is supported by numerous health and other institutions, non-governmental organizations, universities, private foundations and personal donations worldwide.
Cochrane and electronic cigarettes
The Cochrane Tobacco Dependence Group (CTAG) has played a central role in the evaluation of smoking cessation methods, particularly in the case of e-cigarettes. By conducting in-depth analyses, selecting studies according to strict criteria and relying solely on proven data, Cochrane has confirmed the effectiveness of vape in helping people to stop smoking. The Cochrane Institute thus provides crucial information for healthcare professionals and policy-makers, enabling them to make informed recommendations and develop public health strategies based on the most reliable scientific data.
Studies on vape: two major reviews
Meta-analysis of 2022 - updated in 2025: an effective smoking cessation aid
In January 2025, a new review was carried out after the inclusion of two additional studies. This review analyzed 90 studies involving 29,044 adult smokers. The results revealed that nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes increase the chances of smoking cessation for at least six months, compared with other methods, including nicotine replacement therapy and nicotine-free electronic cigarettes.
Read the study in French:
Can electronic cigarettes help people quit smoking, and do they have any adverse effects when used for this purpose?
Meta-analysis 2023: the comparative efficacy of medication and vape to stop smoking
This review analyzed 319 studies involving 157,179 adult smokers and compared the efficacy of electronic cigarettes, varenicline, cytisine and nicotine replacement therapies. The results showed that electronic cigarettes with nicotine were one of the most effective methods of helping smokers to wean themselves off tobacco.
Read the study in French:
How effective are medication and e-cigarettes for quitting smoking, and which works best?
These various reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of vape, which is one of the top three ways to quit smoking.
Smoking cessation: nicotine vape in the top 3 most effective aids
Cochrane's conclusions on e-cigarettes are regarded as benchmarks, since they are based on serious studies and a methodology of integrity and transparency.
The Cochrane methodological process
- Identification of relevant studies: Cochrane conducts an exhaustive search of clinical trial databases and registries to identify all relevant studies.
- Strict selection criteria: studies must meet rigorous methodological criteria, guaranteeing the quality of the data analyzed.
- Study quality assessment: a careful analysis of potential bias, sample size and data collection methods is carried out to ensure the validity of results.
- Statistical analysis: Cochrane uses advanced statistical methods to combine the results of different studies and obtain a precise estimate of the effect of an intervention.
- Analysis of heterogeneity: the Institute examines the consistency of results between studies, to assess the impact of any differences on conclusions.
- Interpreting the results: Cochrane interprets the results, taking into account bias, study quality and possible variations, to provide pragmatic and reliable recommendations.
The GRADE system: assessing the quality of evidence
Cochrane reviews are accompanied by an assessment of the level of confidence in the evidence, based on the GRADE system - Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. This system distinguishes four levels of evidence quality:
High confidence : the evidence is strong and consistent, the observed effect is reliable and unlikely to change with further research.
Moderate confidence : the evidence is strong but there are uncertainties. The observed effect is probably real, but new research could alter this assessment.
Low certainty : the evidence is unreliable, and new research could substantially alter the conclusions.
Very low certainty: the evidence is of very poor quality, the results are uncertain and the conclusions could change completely with new research.
The Cochrane opinion on electronic cigarettes
The Cochrane meta-analyses, based on rigorous methodology, confirm the effectiveness of vape compared with other smoking cessation tools.