A new study shows that a medicine already approved to help adults stop smoking can also help teens and young adults quit vaping. Researchers found that the drug varenicline, when combined with counseling and support texts, made users three times more likely to stop vaping. The study, published in JAMA and led by Massachusetts General Hospital, focused on people aged 16 to 25. This is the first major trial to test a vaping treatment in this age group. The results show real hope for young people who want to quit.
What Is Varenicline and How It Works
Varenicline is a drug sold under the brand name Chantix. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 2006 to help adults stop smoking cigarettes. It works by blocking nicotine’s effects on the brain. That means users feel fewer cravings and less pleasure from using nicotine.
Until now, this drug was not tested for vaping in young people. But with vaping rates rising, experts wanted to know if it could help teens and young adults too. Dr. A. Eden Evins, director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), led the new study.
“Vaping is extremely popular among kids,” said Dr. Evins. “Early nicotine use can make other drugs more addictive later. We needed a way to help this group quit.”
The Study: 261 Participants, Real-World Conditions
The trial was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It involved 261 teens and young adults who vaped almost every day. None were regular cigarette smokers.
Participants were split into three groups:
- Group 1 took varenicline, got weekly 20-minute counseling, and joined a text-based support program called This Is Quitting.
- Group 2 followed the same plan but took a placebo instead of varenicline.
- Group 3 only used the text service.
The program lasted 12 weeks. Every week, participants reported if they were still vaping. Researchers also tested their saliva for cotinine, a marker of nicotine use.
Strong Results Backed by Data
At the end of the 12 weeks, results were clear:
- 51% of those on varenicline had stopped vaping.
- 14% of those on placebo quit.
- 6% of those in the text-only group quit.
Three months later, the numbers fell a bit but still showed a clear trend:
- 28% of varenicline users were still vape-free.
- Only 7% of the placebo group and 4% of the text-only group stayed off vaping.
Dr. Randi Schuster of MGH said the drug was safe and well-tolerated. Only three people dropped out due to side effects—two from the varenicline group and one from the placebo group.
“Not only was varenicline effective in this age group—it was safe,” said Dr. Schuster. “Importantly, we didn’t see any participants switch to cigarettes after quitting vaping.”
Why This Matters Now
Vaping among young people is a growing problem. In 2023, nearly one in four young adults reported vaping. In 2024, about 8% of high school students said they vaped.
Unlike cigarettes, vape devices are small and easy to hide. This makes them more common in schools and public spaces. But vapes are not harmless. They often contain high doses of nicotine, which can harm brain development. Some also include cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals.
Nicotine addiction has made a comeback among teens. Many want to quit but don’t know how. Until now, there wasn’t much evidence on what works best for their age group.
A Ready-to-Use Option
Because varenicline is already FDA-approved for adults, doctors can legally prescribe it to people 16 and older. This makes it an option that can be used right away, without waiting for new approvals.
That’s important because the need is urgent. Most current quit programs for teens focus only on behavior or text support. Those can help, but the new study shows that adding medication makes a big difference.
Public Health Impact and Next Steps
This study is a big step forward for public health. It gives doctors and families a tool that works. It also shows that quitting is possible, even for heavy vapers.
The researchers want to do more studies. They hope to test the treatment in younger teens and those who use both vapes and cigarettes. They also want to see how long the effects of the treatment last.
“We found a way to help teens and young adults quit,” Dr. Evins said. “And now we have the science to back it up.”
The Bottom Line: There Is Hope
Many young people want to stop vaping but don’t know where to start. This new research gives them a path forward. With counseling, support messages, and the right medicine, quitting becomes much more likely.
If you’re a teen or young adult who wants to quit—or if you know someone who does—this study offers hope backed by science. Doctors now have a proven way to help. And those struggling with addiction have more than just willpower. They have support, tools, and a chance to break free.
