Overview

• A randomized clinical trial involving 261 participants aged 16 to 25 found that varenicline, combined with behavioral counseling, tripled vaping cessation rates compared to placebo or text-only support.
• At 12 weeks, 51% of participants using varenicline had quit vaping, compared to 14% in the placebo group and 6% in the text-only group; at 24 weeks, 28% of varenicline users remained vape-free.
• The study, published in JAMA, confirmed that varenicline is safe for youth, with no evidence of participants turning to cigarette use after quitting vaping.
• Researchers highlighted varenicline's potential for off-label prescription to youth, as it is already FDA-approved for adult smoking cessation, though further studies are recommended for younger populations.
• Experts in Australia and the U.S. emphasized the importance of combining pharmacotherapy with behavioral support to address the growing public health challenge of youth nicotine addiction.