NEWS
NICE-LY DONE
UK health workers should give ‘ clear and up-to-date ’ information on e-cigarettes to smokers who want to quit , under proposed new guidelines .
Words : Patrick Griffin ew draft guidelines to tackle the
Nhealth burden of smoking in the UK should act as a “ wake up call ” for the World Health Organization to change its anti-vaping policies .
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( NICE ) proposals state that : “ nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can help people to stop smoking and are similarly effective to other cessation options ” and “ people should be able to use e-cigarettes as one of several options to support smoking cessation , if they so choose .”
NICE , which worked with Public Health England to develop the guidelines , believes healthcare staff should give “ clear and up-to-date information on e-cigarettes ” to smokers who want to quit .
But the WHO refuses to even contemplate recommending vaping and claims that “ switching from conventional tobacco products to e-cigarettes is not quitting .”
Dr Charles Gardner , of the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organisations , said : “ These new draft guidelines should be a wakeup call for the World Health Organization , which continues to believe that reducing harm is an evil Big Tobacco plot .
“ NICE and PHE have no industry influence . They look at evidence . INNCO compliments them on their courageous stance against current tobacco control dogma .”
World Vapers Alliance Director Michael Landl said the UK continued to set an example to the world on how to ‘ effectively and pragmatically ’ help smokers quit . He said : “ The UK is the beacon of hope for sensible public health policy when it comes to the fight against smoking .
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We need to use every tool in our arsenal to reduce smoking rates , including education , behavioural support , financial incentives , and e-cigarettes …
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“ Instead of continuing their ideological fight against vaping , governments and the WHO should follow the science and listen to the millions of vapers who successfully quit .”
Dr Paul Chrisp , director of NICE ’ s Centre for Guidelines , said : “ These draft guideline recommendations are a renewed effort to reduce the health burden of smoking and to encourage and support people to give up smoking .
“ We need to use every tool in our arsenal to reduce smoking rates , including education , behavioural support , financial incentives , and e-cigarettes if people are interested in using them .
“ Combined , we hope that people who smoke will feel enabled to give up tobacco products once and for all .” Rosanna O ' Connor , Director Drugs , Alcohol , Tobacco and Justice at Public Health England , said :
“ This new guidance offers a welcome ‘ howto guide ’ for reducing the harm caused by smoking including helping smokers to quit and preventing a new generation of smokers from starting .”
Tobacco harm reduction advocate Louise Ross , the former manager of the Stop Smoking Service in Leicester , said : “ This should all be part of a consistent message to people who smoke , encouraging them to give vaping a try .
“ We know that vaping is a really popular and effective way to stop smoking . “ Now we have evidence from yet another credible source that we should all put our efforts into getting more people to try it .”
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