Vaping could help alcoholics curb smoking while they're detoxing in hospital and could take the weight off nurses.

A study at a Porirua hospital, has found those who used e-cigarettes were more interested in quitting smoking permanently, than those who used nicotine gum or patches.

Massey University researcher, Dr Penelope Truman told Kate Hawkesby these people are in a tough situation anyway but have to go outside if they want to smoke.

She says stress makes people want to smoke more.

"With an e-cigarette you can just take all that stress off because they can get their nicotine fix in a way that's a bit more like a cigarette."

Truman says people around the patients weren't surveyed but didn't seem upset by them vaping inside.

However, she says the nurses were a bit dubious and worried at first.

"By the time the trial is finished they felt quite differently about it, it was just normal and I think it made life significantly easier for them."

Truman says she couldn't see any downside to the use of e-cigarettes in this study.

LISTEN ABOVE AS PENELOPE TRUMAN SPEAKS WITH KATE HAWKESBY