“It’s important that all vapers stop smoking completely, as otherwise they are still exposing themselves to the serious risks of disease and disability caused by smoking.”
ASH has been monitoring smoking and vaping trends since 2012, and their latest report suggests that vaping has helped an extra 70,000 people quit smoking in 2017. According to this data, the number of UK vapers has gone from 700,000 in 2012 to 3.6 million in 2019 – and of these:
-54% have given up smoking
-40% both smoke and vape
-6% have never smoked
Prof Ann McNeill, who compiled an e-cig review for Public Health England (PHE) pointed out that it is important that vapers do not keep smoking once they take up vaping. “It’s important that all vapers stop smoking completely, as otherwise they are still exposing themselves to the serious risks of disease and disability caused by smoking,” adding, “Vaping isn’t risk free – but it’s much less risky than smoking, which kills nearly 100,000 people a year in the UK.”
Meanwhile, as the 33rd person has tragically lost their life to the mysterious lung disease which has been linked to vaping unlicensed THC and nicotine products in the US, the PHE is reassuring UK vapers that their stance on e-cig use remains unchanged.
PHE: Vaping is not risk free, but safer than smoking
In line with McNeill’s comment, a PHE tweet pointed out the importance of using the devices solely for harm reduction purposes. “Our advice on e-cigarettes remains unchanged – vaping isn’t completely risk free but is far less harmful than smoking tobacco. There is no situation where it would be better for your health to continue smoking rather than switching completely to vaping.”
Supporting the PHE’s tweet, the New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) is also pointing out that vapers should not be concerned as long as they are using regulated products. “Suffice to say that vaping nicotine is not to blame for any of these episodes, but instead illegal oil-based THC liquids bought from unregulated vendors in America, not the UK. In short, drug dealers. The advice from Public Health England – and from the NNA – remains the same.”
Read Further: BBC
