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Is Vaping the best way to stop smoking? - TABlites

Is Vaping the best way to stop smoking?

Evidence suggests that vaping is better than nicotine replacement therapy to stop smoking.

We can hear you asking yourselves why, so take a read and delve further into these findings with us.

Vaping better than nicotine replacement therapy for stopping smoking, evidence suggests.

Researches at King’s College London on behalf of Public Health England (PHE) have released their seventh independent report, which concludes:

  • Smokers trying to quit were found to use nicotine vaping products as the leading aid in 2020 in England
  • In 2017, more than 50,000 smokers stopped smoking with the aid of a vaping product who would have otherwise continued to smoke
  • Smokers were misled into believing that vaping was equally as harmful as smoking (38%) compared to 15% who believed that vaping is more harmful
  • The highest quit success rates were found to be between 59.7% - 74% in 2019 and 2020 where a vaping aid was used in assisting an individual stopping smoking

These findings, suggests that nicotine vaping products help assist the quit smoking process in a positive light with the correlating pattern of increased vaping aids for quitting vs increased numbers of people stopping smoking successfully.


What were the most popular quit smoking aids in England 2020?

<!-- wp:list --> <ul><li><strong>27.2%</strong> of people used nicotine vaping products</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->  <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li><strong>18.2%</strong> of people used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). These products include nicotine patches and nicotine gum.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->  <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li><strong>4.4%</strong> of people used prescription medicine (varenicline).</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->
  • 27.2% of people used nicotine vaping products
  • 18.2% of people used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). These products include nicotine patches and nicotine gum.
  • 4.4% of people used prescription medicine (varenicline).

Public Health England advice remains to state that smokers should switch to vaping products to help them quit smoking. They also suggest that if you have never smoked then you should stay away from vaping, and we completely agree!

Smoking killed almost 75,000 people in England in 2019.

“ Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of premature death and disease – killing almost 75,000 people in England in 2019. The best thing that a smoker can do is to stop smoking completely and the evidence shows that vaping is one of the most effective quit aids available, helping around 50,000 smokers quit a year.

Thousands more could have quit except for unfounded safety fears about e-cigarettes. The evidence has been clear for some time that, while not risk-free vaping is far less harmful than smoking.

For anyone who smokes, particularly those who have already tried other methods, we strongly recommend they try vaping and stop smoking – ideally with additional support from their local stop smoking service for the very best chance of quitting for good."

Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at PHE
More than 50,000 smokers stopped smoking with aid of a vape product in 2017.


 

PHE is in the process of compiling a full review of the evidence for the safety of vape products, which will be published in 2022. Hopefully, this should clear up all miss-information surrounding vaping, and more people around the world will decide to make the switch.

We strive to achieve a smokefree nation by 2030.

“Our report draws together findings from randomised controlled trials, stop smoking services and population studies and concludes that nicotine vaping products are an effective way of successfully quitting smoking.

What is concerning is that smokers, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, incorrectly and increasingly believe that vaping is as harmful as smoking. This is not true and means fewer smokers try vaping.

The goal for 2030 is to be smokefree in England. The development of a new Tobacco Control Plan and this year’s review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 is an opportunity to ensure that the regulations around vaping are appropriate. The regulations are also hoped to help smokers to quit, while not attracting people who have never smoked."

Professor Ann McNeill, Professor of Tobacco Addiction at King’s College London, and lead author of the report.

In line with the PHE’s guidance, you could use a nicotine-containing vape to help support your transition.

Smoking vs Vaping. Cigarettes crossed out with a red cross and a vape device with a green tick next to it

“Rightly, since e-cigarettes emerged as an alternative to smoking, the government has sought to strike a balance between helping smokers to quit and protecting children. As ASH research included in the report for PHE shows, e-cigarette use among 11 to 18-year-olds has to date remained low, but on the downside, their potential as an adult quitting aid has not been fully realised.

As we strive to achieve a smokefree nation by 2030 more needs to be done to support adult smokers who could benefit from switching to do so, while eliminating loopholes in the laws which could be used to promote products to teenagers."

Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of ASH

Make the switch to vaping today.

How can you get the information and guidance needed to stop smoking?

Charities like Cancer Research UK, provide some great information.

“E-cigarettes are a still relatively new product – they aren’t risk-free as we don’t yet know their long-term impact. We strongly discourage people who haven’t smoked from using them, particularly young people. But research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco and, as this report emphasises, can help people to stop smoking. The long-term effects of e-cigarettes are unknown but the long-term harms of tobacco are indisputable.

Support from stop smoking services remains the most effective way to help people quit for good. Services can help people find the tool that works for them, e-cigarette or otherwise, and give them the best chance of reducing their risk from tobacco."

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive.

We are pleased to hear that so many people are making the switch to safer alternatives like vaping.

Have you tried quitting smoking and have been unsuccessful to date? Don't feel ready to quit smoking without any aids?

TABlites are always available to offer help, advice and guidance on everything vaping. And we look forward to welcoming you into one of our stores in the near future.

Thank you for reading!

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