E-Cigs Could Help Quitters Avoid Typical Weight Gain, Research Suggests

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- British researchers have discovered a new way e-cigarettes can help smokers who want to quit - it may help people avoid the typical weight gain that goes along with kicking the habit.

It's the nicotine in cigarettes that suppresses the appetite and since e-cigarettes have nicotine but no tobacco, it's possible that vaping could ease people into quitting while avoiding the usual weight gain.

"The flavors are really fascinating. We think the fruit, and sweet flavors in particular, might actively be able (to help) people avoid smoking," Linda Bauld, Deputy Director of the UK Center for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies told KCBS.

That might encourage smokers to consider switching, but Bauld isn't suggesting e-cigs for smokers trying to lose weight just yet.

"Others might want to ask those question, but the priority for me is really to explore this promise of e-cigarettes, and if reducing weight-gain is one of the unintended benefits, then that could be really positive," Bauld said.