UK Government Urges Vape Shops to Stay Open During Virus Outbreak
The UK government was urged to keep vape shops open during the virus outbreak, with officials and advocates arguing they are important for helping former smokers avoid relapse.
In an open letter to the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Nadhim Zahawi, Small Business Minister Paul Scully and Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care Jo Churchill addressed the situation. Despite the rapid spread in Italy, the government changed its decision to close vape shops.<\/span><\/div>
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Polosa pointed out that during this time of heightened anxiety and stress, people are smoking even more than usual, even being confined at home, thus putting not only themselves but also their families at risk from smoking. The Italian government has naturally taken some of the strictest measures globally. All public gatherings have been banned, and most businesses, including schools, bars, and restaurants, have been closed.<\/span><\/div>
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Initially, vape shops were included in the list of stores to be closed, but the award-winning Dr. Riccardo Polosa explained why keeping tobacco retailers open while closing stores selling safer alternatives would be counterproductive. "I had some opinions. The next morning, I made some declarative statements."<\/span><\/div>
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Polosa, founder of the Center of Excellence for the Reduction of Harm (CoEHAR) in Catania, Italy, has published dozens of studies on vaping-related topics. He noted that during this time of heightened anxiety and stress, people will smoke more than usual, and at home, they are confined to smoking, thus putting not only themselves but their families at risk from smoking.<\/span><\/div>
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If vape shops close, former smokers will return to smoking.<\/span><\/div>
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The professor stated that most smokers are former smokers. If they no longer purchase vaping products, it is highly likely that these products will revert to smoking.<\/span><\/div>
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"Most importantly, thousands of smokers will face the risk of returning to smoking. I believe this is a public health issue. Similarly, many vapers with respiratory diseases have reduced their symptoms through vaping, and stopping vaping will likely lead to an acute exacerbation of respiratory diseases. When you have ICU beds without other beds available, this will be extremely detrimental to the national health system," Polosa said.<\/span><\/div>
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