For years, scientists, vapers and policymakers have talked about dual use, that is, adults who both smoke cigarettes and use vapes.

Some see it as a setback on the path to quitting smoking; others have questioned whether vaping just adds another habit.

A major new study from Queen Mary University of London offers fresh insight into this behaviour and what it might mean for people who are trying to move away from cigarettes.

What the Study Found

Researchers followed nearly 900 adult smokers over a year, offering them support with quitting and access to either e-cigarettes or traditional nicotine replacement products as part of a quit attempt. The study found that:

• People who smoked and vaped at the same time were more likely to reduce smoking and more likely to quit smoking in the long term than those who continued smoking without vaping.
• Even if someone didn’t quit smoking completely, those who also used a vape saw larger reductions in the number of cigarettes they smoked and in their exposure to harmful chemicals than people who tried to quit without vaping.
• Vapers often started on higher nicotine strengths and gradually moved to lower strengths, with around one in ten shifting to nicotine-free E-Liquid by the end of the study.

Importantly, researchers also noted that people using e-cigarettes tended to experience lower urges to smoke compared with those using traditional nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gum.

What This Doesn’t Mean

We should be clear: smoking remains the most harmful way to use nicotine, and quitting cigarettes completely is the best step someone can take for their health. Cuts in smoking that still involve regular cigarettes don’t eliminate risk.

Reducing cigarette consumption, even substantially, still means exposure to many of the toxins that make smoking dangerous.

Dual use doesn’t eliminate the risks associated with vaping and or smoking, but this evidence suggests it can be a transitional phase for adults moving away from smoking.

Why Dual Use Isn’t Always a “Bad” Sign

Public health discussions have sometimes dismissed dual use as simply prolonging dependency. But the study’s results challenge that assumption:

• It shows that people who are willing to try vaping alongside smoking are often actively changing their behaviour, not just maintaining two habits.
• For many adults, especially those who find it difficult to quit smoking all at once, vaping can offer an alternative source of nicotine that reduces cravings and makes cutting down cigarettes easier.
• Gradual reduction, rather than an immediate stop, can be more realistic and achievable for some people.

In simple terms, dual use can reflect progress, not stagnation.

A Realistic, Supportive Perspective

Everyone’s journey with nicotine is different. For some, quitting smoking overnight is possible and ideal. For others, the path is more gradual, with vaping acting as a tool to cut down and ultimately quit smoking altogether.

If you currently smoke and vape, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it might mean you’re on the path toward reducing your smoking. Over time, many people find they smoke less, vape more, and eventually become smoke-free.

Bottom Line

• Smoking cigarettes is harmful. The best choice for health is to quit smoking completely.
• Vaping is not risk-free, but it’s substantially less harmful than smoking and can play a part in quitting cigarettes.
• Dual use, for many people, appears to be a transition phase, not a permanent destination, and may signal movement toward quitting smoking over time.

Final Word of Encouragement

If you smoke and are also vaping, it’s worth recognising that change doesn’t always happen in one step. For many adults, moving away from cigarettes is a process, not a switch, and experimenting with alternatives can be part of that journey.

The most important thing is forward momentum. Reducing smoking, seeking support, and staying informed can all help bring you closer to a smoke-free future, at your own pace.
Read our guide and learn how to switch from smoking to vaping.