UK Smokers Remain Skeptical About Vaping Devices
Despite efforts by Public Health England (PHE) to encourage smokers to switch to vaping devices for harm reduction, most UK smokers remain skeptical. A study commissioned by Yorkshire Cancer Research in 2019 surveyed 844 current smokers and 1,156 former s
Despite the efforts of Public Health England (PHE) to encourage smokers to switch to e-cigarettes to reduce harm, most smokers in the UK remain skeptical.
A study commissioned by the Yorkshire Cancer Research Center in 2019 surveyed 844 current smokers and 1,156 former smokers, finding that tobacco users still "doubt" e-cigarettes, with many stating they would not try vaping. The research indicates that despite PHE's efforts to promote a safer alternative, only one in ten quitters have managed to quit smoking through e-cigarettes.
Another study funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) reached similar conclusions. Research from King's College London published in the journal Addiction showed that smokers and former smokers in the UK still believe that vaporizers are more harmful than they actually are.
Researchers from the CRUK study found that, unfortunately, fewer than six out of ten people accurately believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco. They compiled this data through an online survey of 1,720 smokers and former smokers, noting that sadly, misconceptions about the harms of e-cigarettes seem to be increasing, particularly among smokers and those who have never tried vaping.
Despite PHE's efforts, there is still a long way to go.
In response to this study, Martin Dockrell, head of tobacco control at Public Health England, stated that while the organization has made efforts, there is clearly still a long way to go. "There is still work to be done to reassure smokers that e-cigarettes, while not risk-free, are far less harmful than smoking. If you smoke, switching to e-cigarettes could save your life."
A video released by the health organization effectively illustrates the amount of toxic chemicals and tar that regular smokers inhale each month compared to non-smokers or e-cigarette users.
UK Research Institute Officially Recommends E-Cigarettes for Quitting Smoking
Meanwhile, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK has recently officially recognized e-cigarette products as smoking cessation tools.
Tobacco harm reduction advocates worldwide welcomed this development. "The new draft guidelines released today on how to effectively help smokers quit state:
"Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking and are similar to other cessation options" and
"If people wish, they should be able to use e-cigarettes as one of several options to support quitting smoking," the press release from the World Vaping Alliance (WVA) stated.
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