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
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