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While millions of UK smokers patiently wait for NHS vape prescriptions … supermarket giant Sainsbury ’ s has already taken harm reduction into its own hands .
Words : Jordan Millar
While news that vapes could one day be prescribed on the NHS sent a buzz of excitement through the global industry , experts warned there was a long road ahead .
The complex approvals process and skyhigh costs meant it could be years before the first brands were even accepted .
However , while the nation eagerly waits for the first-of-its-kind NHS scheme to take-off , social media is alive with joy over another win for UK vaping .
Supermarket giant Sainsbury ’ s has received enormous praise online for stocking vaping products in their ‘ natural home ’ alongside other quitting tools , instead of hiding them away with deadly cigarettes .
The wave of celebration came after Richard Holley – tobacco control lead for North Northamptonshire Council – commended the nationwide chain for openly displaying vapes .
He tweeted : “ Can we just take a minute to applaud Sainsbury ’ s for putting vapes and pouches in their medicines aisle ?
“… to see them on display like this , rather than tucked behind the cigarette counter , is refreshing .”
Hundreds more advocates and vapers have since rallied behind the post , thanking the UK ’ s second largest supermarket chain for doing the right thing and ‘ playing a part in helping save lives ’.
Global harm reduction campaigners even tagged their own policymakers in the tweet , asking ; if supermarkets can follow the science and support the public health power of e-cigarettes … then why can ’ t international health leaders seem to get it right ?
This is real public health .
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