I don't get why getting the patch and vaping should be seen as a simple neutral choice of delivery method when the delivery method is the very thing being debated?

Nobody here is against the patch to get off smoking. The article is about starting the habit. And studies about vaping is literally about the delivery method.

People who start vaping are more likely to start smoking. Before vapes, they may have gone straight to smoking? Or not done it at all? But to focus on the getting off, when there are people getting on and then going further should be seen as diversion from the topic at hand.