The CSUR, a research centre based in Glasgow, Scotland, specialises in studies related to substance use. The research in question was a qualitative one, meaning that in depth interviews were conducted with the study participants, with the result that the majority, (96%), were able to make a clear distinction between combustible cigarettes and electronic ones, and whilst most showed no interest in vaping, they considered the devices only as smoking cessation aides.
Vaping does not entice people to smoke, on the contrary..
Additionally not only was there no increase in their desire to smoke when they saw the devices being used in public, but some also claimed that the devices made smoking seem even less attractive.
“These results cast doubt on claims of a link between the increased popularity of e-cigarettes, their ensuing visibility when used in public, and any resulting increase in the desire to smoke tobacco among young people.” said lead author of the study, and Director of CSUR, Dr Neil McKeganey.
McKeganey went on to point out that while this research suggests that most people nowadays consider vaping to be normal, it also makes it clear that this activity is in no way making smoking seem more appealing or acceptable, hence regulating the products on the premise that they may act as a gateway to smoking does not make sense.
“If anything, the results of this study show the opposite is true. Vaping is making smoking less interesting for non-smokers. While there is still a need to pursue further research into e-cigarettes, on the basis of our results the devices in their current form can be clearly distinguished from traditional cigarettes. Future regulation that restricts their manufacture or design risks inadvertently pushing e-cigarettes to resemble combustible tobacco products, which could lead to confusion and should be avoided at all costs.”, concluded the study author.
Vaping makes smoking less interesting
Amidst the unfounded claims by several entities that vaping may have a gateway effect, and lead many astray, (to smoking), the most renowned is perhaps the recent report released by the Surgeon General of the United States Vivek Murthy. Such unfounded claims have been causing significant damage by scaring smokers from trying the products that were proven to be at least 95% safer than cigarettes and the most effective smoking cessation tools to date. Based on research that proves this, the UK has endorsed the products and contrary to the gateway theory, as a result, the country is reporting the lowest number of smokers ever recorded.
McKeganey N. (2016). Visible Vaping: E-Cigarettes and the Further De-Normalization of Smoking. International Archives of Addiction Research and Medicine
