The Health Information and Quality Authority has said that an increased use of e-cigarettes by smokers trying to quit "would increase the number of people who successfully quit compared with the existing situation in Ireland".

For the first time e-cigarettes are included in a study on the cost effectiveness of aids for quitting smoking in Ireland.

The study found the most effective way to quit smoking is a combination of Varenicline, a prescription-only medication, along with nicotine replacement therapy including nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, intranasal and oral sprays, and tablets............