A report from the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) has found that using e-cigarettes can potentially double your chances of quitting smoking.

The report on the success and cost-effectiveness of ways to give up cigarettes was published today, and is now going out for a public consultation.

The HIQA assessment is the first of its kind in the EU to examine the cost-effectiveness of e-cigarettes.

HIQA’s Director of Health Technology Assessment Dr Máirín Ryan said: “This report found that all publicly funded smoking cessation interventions can be considered clinically effective when compared with doing nothing, and cost-effective when compared with unassisted quitting.

"The most cost-effective strategy is to maximise the use of varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in combination."

Data from Healthy Ireland reveals that 29% of smokers currently use e-cigarettes as an aid to quitting smoking. 

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is currently developing a national clinical guideline on how to quit.

The report, along with details on how to take part in the consultation, is available at www.hiqa.ie.