If you’re a parent worried about your teen’s vaping, you’re not alone — and there’s encouraging news. Many teens who start vaping quickly realize they want to quit vaping but quitting on their own can be very difficult. Thankfully, a new study offers real hope and a promising path forward.
Researchers have found that varenicline, a medication long used to help adults quit smoking, can also help teens quit vaping. In a recent clinical trial published in April, 2025 in The Journal of the American Medical Association, teens who took varenicline — along with weekly counseling and supportive text messages — were more than three times as likely to quit vaping. That’s compared to those who received the same support but no medication.
By the final month of the 12-week study, over half of the teens taking varenicline had completely stopped vaping. That’s compared to just 14% on a placebo. Even six months later, nearly a third of those who took the medication remained vape-free.
Why It Matters to Quit Vaping
Vaping is now alarmingly common among young people. Nearly 1 in 4 young adults and 7% of high school students use e-cigarettes regularly, with use even starting in middle school. This surge threatens years of progress in reducing youth nicotine addiction. The harsh truth is that nicotine can disrupt brain development and increase the risk of other substance use later in life.
Even though many teens want to quit, effective treatment options have been scarce — until now. This research gives families hope that quitting is not only possible but achievable with the right support.
Quit Vaping: A Supportive Approach
Quit Vaping: A Supportive ApproachThe clinical trial involved 261 teens and young adults ages 16 to 25, all of whom vaped nicotine almost daily but did not smoke traditional cigarettes. All participants were given access to a free text-message program called “This Is Quitting.” Two groups also received remote weekly support sessions with trained young counselors, and one of those groups received varenicline.
The results were clear: the combination of varenicline, counseling and encouraging texts helped more teens quit. And these kids stayed off of vaping without any serious side effects. Importantly, quitting vaping didn’t lead to picking up cigarettes, a concern many parents share.
What This Means for Your Family
Doctors can prescribe varenicline to teens, and many are doing so, especially when combined with emotional and behavioral support. While more research is needed regarding younger kids (like middle schoolers), this study marks a major step forward in helping teens who want to stop vaping — and giving parents a clear path to help them.
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