Medical Report Says Switching to E-Cigarettes Benefits Health

According to CNBC on the morning of the 29th, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in the UK recommends that smokers who wish to quit should be encouraged to switch to e-cigarettes, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding this product.

The college released a report on Thursday stating that e-cigarettes should be promoted "as widely as possible" among the smoking population as a tobacco alternative, which could bring "huge health benefits" to society in the long run.

Since their introduction in Western countries around 2006-2007, e-cigarettes have been increasingly accepted by consumers. A report released by the UK Action on Smoking and Health last May indicated that approximately 2.6 million adults in the UK are using e-cigarettes, almost all of whom are smokers or former smokers looking to reduce their nicotine intake.

The Royal College of Physicians stated in the report that the most effective way to quit smoking is through nicotine replacement therapies, such as gum, lozenges, and patches, along with support from health professionals. However, compared to these therapies, e-cigarettes are more popular among smokers seeking to quit.

The main purpose of the report is to find ways to achieve a "smoke-free society" and to study the controversies surrounding non-tobacco nicotine products. Regarding e-cigarettes, the report claims there is no evidence that this tool leads to the "renormalization" of smoking and adds that e-cigarettes are not a "gateway to smoking."

The report acknowledges that e-cigarettes may pose some long-term risks, but these are significantly lower compared to the harms of consuming tobacco products. Any potential harms caused by e-cigarettes could likely be mitigated with further advancements in product technology and appropriate regulation.