The number of e-cigarette users in the UK has surpassed 3 million

According to a report from BBC News, a survey conducted by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in 2018 revealed that the number of e-cigarette users in the UK has surpassed 3 million for the first time, quadrupling since 2012.

In recent years, the number of e-cigarette users in the UK has significantly increased.

The survey results indicate that most e-cigarette users use these devices because they have already quit smoking, while about 40% of users are trying to quit smoking with them. This public health charity stated that the survey, which involved 12,000 British adults, shows that most smokers are aware that switching to e-cigarettes can improve their health.

The study estimated that between 2017 and 2018, the number of e-cigarette users increased by 10%, from 2.9 million to 3.2 million. The survey showed that the main reasons former smokers switched to e-cigarettes were: 62% to quit smoking, 11% because they like e-cigarettes, and 10% because vaping helps them save money. However, researchers also noted that there are still a large number of smokers in the UK, about one-third, who have never tried e-cigarettes.
The UK is at the forefront of combating misinformation about e-cigarettes.

The reason for the large number of e-cigarette users in the UK is that the country has consistently been at the forefront of efforts to combat misinformation about e-cigarettes. Earlier this year, the UK Public Health Department (PHE) released a report updating its 2015 report on e-cigarettes, confirming that e-cigarettes are at least 95% healthier than traditional cigarettes. In August 2018, the UK Science and Technology Committee released a report aimed at addressing current misunderstandings about these devices and actively changing the perception of e-cigarettes among businesses, institutions, and the public.

However, misinformation remains widespread.

Although UK organizations have been actively taking measures to change public perception of e-cigarettes and combat the spread of misinformation, the data from the ASH survey clearly shows that despite these efforts, 22% of smokers still believe that e-cigarettes are as bad as or worse than smoking, and among the general public, one in four adults holds this view.

Continuing to actively promote accurate understanding of e-cigarettes.

Dr. Leonie Brose from King's College London expressed her views: "Many people still mistakenly believe that e-cigarettes are as harmful as traditional cigarettes, which is concerning because this could cause many smokers to miss out on a chance to return to health and continue smoking traditional cigarettes that harm their health. Therefore, the campaigns by the UK Public Health Department and others to challenge these misconceptions are crucial and must continue to ensure that everyone has an accurate understanding of e-cigarettes."
Deborah Arnott, CEO of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), agreed with Dr. Brose's views: "The UK's e-cigarette policy is on the right track, with thousands of smokers turning to e-cigarettes to improve their health, and there is little evidence that e-cigarettes are attracting non-smokers to start smoking. I believe that if e-cigarettes were treated as a medicinal product and prescribed, more smokers would benefit."

Unlike the US, which "exaggerates the harms of e-cigarettes while ignoring their benefits," the UK has been actively changing the perception of e-cigarettes among businesses, institutions, and the public, combating the spread of misinformation. Kang Cheng Yi Pin, a well-known domestic e-cigarette manufacturer, fully recognizes the significant harm smoking poses to smokers and those around them, and strongly agrees with the UK's approach to e-cigarettes. The UK Science and Technology Committee has scientifically proven that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes, and for those looking to quit smoking, e-cigarettes will be a blessing, especially for those who find it hard to quit smoking; e-cigarettes will be a great tool for substitution. The emergence of e-cigarettes may save the lives of thousands of smokers worldwide.