NEWS
VAPING ‘ CRUCIAL ’ TO HELP SMOKERS QUIT
Combining vaping products with stop smoking service support should be available to all people who want to quit smoking , says Public Health England report .
Words : Patrick Griffin
Nicotine vaping products could have a “ crucial role ” in reducing smoking ’ s massive adverse health impact , according to the latest Public Health England e-cigarette report . While smoking remains the single biggest risk factor for death and years lived in ill-health in England , the report pointed to an obvious solution for many . It said : “ Alternative nicotine delivery devices , such as nicotine vaping products , could play a crucial role in reducing the enormous health burden caused by cigarette smoking .” The government wants to see the end of smoking in England by 2030 with smokers “ quitting or moving to reduced risk nicotine delivery systems , such as vaping products .” However , if the goal is to be achieved , the report said more resources would be needed to help smokers quit and possibly new laws requiring tobacco manufacturers to finance a ‘ Smokefree
2030 Fund ’. Vaping among young people The report said : “ Vaping and smoking prevalence among young people in England both appear to have stayed the same in recent years and should continue to be closely monitored . “ Enforcement of age of sale regulations for vaping ( and smoking ) needs to be improved . “ Misperceptions of the relative harms of smoking and vaping should be addressed . “ More research is needed on the addictiveness of different types and strengths of nicotine vaping products among young people and the extent to which they are using illegal products .” Vaping among adults Smoking among adults in England continues to fall and there is an estimated six to seven million smokers in the country compared to 2.7 million adult vapers . The most common reasons for vaping were to : quit ( 29.7 percent ), stay off ( 19.4 percent ) or reduce ( 11.2 percent ) smoking tobacco . Most vapers ( around 75 percent ) used tank models while fruit ( 31.6 percent ), tobacco ( 25.2 percent ) and menthol / mint ( 20 percent ) were the most popular flavours used . The report said : “ The proportion of long-term vapers is increasing over time and further research into this group is needed . All smokers should be supported to stop smoking completely , including dual users . “ A greater emphasis needs to be placed on how best to communicate evidence of relative harm to smokers so that they can consider all the options available to them to quit smoking completely .” Effect of vaping on smoking cessation and reduction The report showed that nationally representative survey data had found that : Using a vaping product is the most
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