People are almost twice as likely to give up smoking for good if they use e-cigarettes instead of nicotine patches or gum, according to a new study.

More than 900 long-term smokers were randomly assigned an e-cigarette kit or nicotine replacement therapy.

Those in the former group were given "newer, refillable" devices - in comparison to previous trials which used early models.

At the end of the study, 18% of those using the electronic devices had completely kicked the habit, compared to 9.9% of the others.

The study, the results of which have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, also found that e-cigarette users reported greater declines in the incidence of cough and phlegm production.

However, they did report experiencing more throat and mouth irritation than the other group.

There were no significant differences reported in terms of wheezing or shortness of breath.

Those behind the study suggest it should give doctors, nurses and others "further confidence" to recommend e-cigarettes to those attempting to quit smoking.

Professor Peter Hajek, who led the study, noted: "Although a large number of smokers report that they have quit smoking successfully with the help of e-cigarettes, health professionals have been reluctant to recommend their use because of the lack of clear evidence from randomised controlled trials."

However, he added: "Everyone is different, so smokers shouldn’t be afraid to experiment and find what works for them."

The findings echo a HIQA report from 2017 that found using e-cigarettes can potentially double someone's chances of quitting smoking.

However, other studies have warned of the potential dangers of using the devices during pregnancy - while concerns have also been raised about the potential risks of children and teenagers being exposed to e-cigarettes.