REACTION TO THE REPORT
Health Secretary Sajid Javid
“ There is a call to offer vaping as a substitute to smoking .
“ Vaping is far less harmful than smoking and is an effective quitting device .
“ It is recognised that there is much more government can do to tackle the myths and misconceptions that surround vaping .
“ We have worked with the MHRA to provide guidance to support bringing e-cigarettes to market as licenced therapies and this government will take forward a range of work on vaping as a substitute for smoking in due course .”
UKVIA
The UKVIA welcomed the importance the report gave to vaping as a smoking cessation tool .
Its Director General John Dunne said : “ Mr Khan ’ s review recommends that vaping promotion should be one of the critical policies to eradicate smoking .
“ We couldn ’ t agree more with this report ’ s stark message that , without immediate action , the government will miss its smokefree targets by seven years .
“ Any plans for mass media campaigning to dismantle myths about smoking and vaping are hugely welcome and something we have long called for .
“ This is a truly great day for vaping advocates and marks another huge step forward for the tobacco harm reduction movement .”
World Vapers ’ Alliance
Harm reduction advocate Michael Landl , praised the UK for supporting vaping despite ‘ unfounded attacks ’ in other parts of the world .
The World Vapers ’ Alliance Director said : “ Even though the plan is not perfect , it ’ s great to see that the UK puts practical solutions centre stage , instead of following idealised goals .
“ The European Union should take the UK ’ s approach as an example when designing its strategy for tobacco regulation .”
He added that vaping must be the ‘ leading component ’ in an upcoming review of the EU ’ s Tobacco Products Directive .
Chief Medical Officer
England ’ s chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty said ‘ the staggering scale ’ of the harm caused by cigarettes required bold action .
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