NEWS
VAPING MAY BE ABLE TO HELP WITH WEIGHT CONTROL, ACCORDING TO
NEW RESEARCH ON THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES.
Piling on the pounds is a major concern
among smokers, with studies showing
that smokers can gain around 5kg
(11lbs) in the first 12 months after
they stop.
Nicotine is known to suppress
appetite and it is thought that the ability
to gradually decrease the amount of
nicotine consumed by using e-cigarettes
is beneficial for weight management.
In addition many former smokers turn
to snacking on unhealthy foods as
they look to replace their cravings for a
cigarette with something else instead.
There are reports from vapers that the
vast number of sweet and fruit flavours
actually help them prevent the urge to
indulge on tasty treats as they transition
to a life without tobacco.
The research was published in
the journal Nicotine and Tobacco
Research by scientists from New
Zealand and Stirling.
The paper looked at a range of studies
exploring the influence of nicotine on
the body, as well as the relationships
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between aroma, taste and flavour and
the feeling of fullness.
The report suggests that e-cigarettes
could potentially help to tackle cravings
for certain foods and adds that the
physical processes involved in filling an
e-cigarette could reduce the urge to eat.
Report co-author Linda Bauld, professor
of health policy at the University of
Stirling and deputy director of the UK
Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies
said: “People can change their nicotine
content, so to quit smoking they might
start off on a higher strength e-liquid
and then they can taper down really
quite gradually.
“This is a much more sophisticated
way than they can with NRT, which is
probably good for weight maintenance
and for weight loss.
“[With e-cigarettes] you are re-filling the
e-liquids, you might be mixing your own
liquids, you are trying different flavours,
you are doing things with your hands that
take up time which means maybe you
are not reaching for the bowl of M&Ms.”
The report calls for more research on the
subject and says useful studies would
include trials into the effects of vaping on
weight gain among smokers attempting
to quit and the impact of different
e-liquids on feelings of fullness.
Bauld adde