Exercise Interventions for Reducing Nicotine Dependence and Craving in E-Cigarette Users: A Narrative Review
Abstract
Background. Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has increased considerably, particularly among adolescents and young adults, raising concerns regarding nicotine dependence and difficulties associated with vaping cessation. Craving and withdrawal symptoms may contribute to continued nicotine use and complicate abstinence attempts. Aim. This review aimed to evaluate current evidence regarding the relationship between exercise and nicotine dependence associated with e-cigarette use and to examine the potential applicability of physical activity within vaping cessation approaches. Material and Methods. A narrative review was conducted using literature identified through PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), and Google Scholar in April 2026. Publications related to e-cigarette use, nicotine dependence, exercise interventions, biological mechanisms, and vaping cessation were screened and synthesized. The final review included 43 publications representing different study designs and evidence types. Results. Exercise interventions were most frequently associated with reductions in craving and withdrawal-related symptoms during temporary nicotine abstinence. Additional findings suggested favorable effects involving emotional regulation, stress responses, and behavioral factors associated with nicotine use. Emerging evidence also indicated biological alterations related to vaping exposure, including endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Conclusions.…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tobacco and COPD: presenting the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco Knowledge Summary
- Comparative effects of e-cigarette smoking on periodontal status, salivary pH, and cotinine levels
- Association between exposure to environmental pollutants and increased oral health risks, a comprehensive review
- Influence of gestational window on offspring vascular health in rodents with in utero exposure to electronic cigarettes
- Natural products as kinase inhibitors in lung cancer: molecular mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and clinical trials
- Nicotine in electronic cigarettes
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.