E-cigarettes are almost three times more effective than nicotine replacement aids at helping smokers quit, research suggests.
Doctors found vapers were 95 per cent more likely to be successful than those not using the gadgets in their attempts to kick the habit.
In comparison, smokers prescribed nicotine replacement therapy, such as gums, patches and lozenges, were 34 per cent more likely to succeed.
The research of almost 20,000 smokers also found e-cigarettes were more successful than prescription drugs that reduce nicotine cravings.
University College London scientists found people given varenicline, marketed as Champix, were 82 per cent more likely to give up the habit.
Doctors found vapers were 95 per cent more likely to be successful than those not using the gadgets in their attempts to kick the habit
Charities have called on the NHS to recommend e-cigarettes to smokers on the back of the new evidence.
The gadgets are at the centre of a prescription row. Currently, they are not prescribed on the NHS – despite strong calls from public health bodies.
Concerned scientists warn there is not enough available data to confirm the gadgets, used by around three million people in Britain, are safe.
Experts have also warned millions of pounds may be being wasted on NRT aids, after the research rubbished their success rates.
The study, published in the journal Addiction, is thought to be one of the biggest to compare success rates of stop-smoking aids.
It tracked 18,929 smokers who had tried to give up. Successful quitters were those who claimed they were still not smoking 12 months later.
The research took into account factors that may have influenced quit rates, including age, social status and number of previous quit attempts.
NRT was only successful for patients prescribed it. Those who bought it from a shop were no more likely to kick the habit.
Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson said: 'Stopping smoking reduces the risk of chronic diseases and increases quality of life and life expectancy.
'It is therefore important that every quit attempt has the best possible chance of success.
'Our study adds to growing evidence that use of e-cigarettes can help smokers to quit.'
She added: 'It also raises concerns about the apparent lack of effectiveness of NRT bought from a shop.'
The flavourings in electronic cigarettes may damage blood vessels in the same way as heart disease, according to research published in June.
The chemicals used to give the vapour flavours, such as cinnamon, strawberry and banana, can cause inflammation in cells in the arteries, veins and heart.
They causes the body to react in a way that mimics the early signs of heart disease, heart attacks or strokes, the study by Boston University found.
Other recent studies have also suggested smoking e-cigarettes could cause DNA mutations which lead to cancer, and enable pneumonia-causing bacteria to stick to the lungs easier.
Researchers at New York University subjected human bladder and lung cells to e-cigarette vapor, which is marketed as being healthier than tobacco.
They found the cells mutated and became cancerous much faster than expected and mice exposed to the vapour also suffered significant DNA damage.
In another study, scientists at Queen Mary University, London, found vaping makes users more likely to catch pneumonia – just like smoking tobacco or breathing in traffic fumes.
The vapour from e-cigarettes helps bacteria which cause the condition to stick to the cells that line the airways, they said.
The effect occurs with traditional cigarette smoke and those who are exposed to air pollution high in particulates from vehicle exhausts.
Dr Jamie Brown, study co-author, said: 'It is important that e-cigarettes appeared to be equally effective for smokers of all ages and social backgrounds.
'Smoking is one of the biggest contributors to
