The debate surrounding the health benefits versus risks of electronic cigarettes has been heated in recent months. Medical News Today recently reported on a study by researchers at University College London in the UK, which suggests the devices reduce the use of conventional cigarettes. But a new article published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology claims there is “not enough evidence” to suggest this is the case.

In this latest article, lead study author Andrew Nickels – of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Mayo Clinic and a fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology – says there is “not enough evidence” to suggest that e-cigarettes should be used as smoking cessation aids.

“Despite the apparent optimism surrounding e-cigarettes and their purported therapeutic role in smoking cessation, there just simply is not enough evidence to suggest that consumers should use e-cigarettes for this purpose,” said Nickels.