Vaping is less harmful to health than smoking

Vaping is, once again, scientifically proven to be much less harmful than smoking

Vape Health UK

INTRODUCTION

The UK says so in a report commissioned by the Department of Health, the findings of which have just been released.

This annual report on the health impact of vaping is the eighth in a series of independent reports since 2015 by one of the world's leading universities, King's College London.

The first report had made waves by claiming evidence that vaping was 95% less harmful than smoking.

To this day, this series of studies represents the most thorough and objective analysis of the potential risks associated with the use of electronic cigarettes.

The conclusions of the latest report are indisputable : although not completely risk-free, especially for people who have never smoked, vaping generates only a tiny fraction of the risks associated with tobacco use, specifically with regard to exposure to toxic products that cause cancer, lung or cardiovascular diseases.

THE STUDY

The study considers many factors related to vaping such as the vapers themselves, the products used, but also the health effects and the population's perception of the risks.

To do this, researchers from the Department of Neuroscience at King's College used biomarkers to measure the physiological changes caused by vaping.

Some biomarkers, especially those reflecting exposure to toxic substances, were found to be approximately the same in vapers and non-vapers/smokers.

Despite this, some results have shown a slight increase in biomarkers in some vapers, which leads scientists to conclude in their report that, in terms of the benefit/risk balance, vaping should be reserved for therapeutic smoking cessation and not for recreational use by non-smokers.

It is noteworthy to mention that no health impact of passive exposure to e-cigarette vapour could be demonstrated.

THE CHALLENGES AROUND VAPING

The report provides guidance on the primary purpose of the e-cigarette, which must remain a tool to quit smoking.

It acknowledges that the current means of prevention and cessation are not sufficient and advocates the use of new tools in public health policies, such as the electronic cigarette, especially for people for whom nicotine substitutes are not enough.

The United Kingdom wants to be innovative and effective in its anti-smoking policy, which is why it's now the first country to have a health system that allows the prescription of vapes as part of medical monitoring of smoking cessation.

The report insists that future public health policies on tobacco control must be based on independent scientific reports and not on the influence of pressure groups or popular opinion.

The report recommends training programmes for health professionals to inform them about these new tools so that they, in turn, can properly guide their patients.

The corollary of this policy must be a very strict policy towards tobacco as well as strict regulations to ensure that the electronic cigarette does not become an entertainment for non-smokers. To this end, tobacco products must be taxed differently and more heavily than vape products, so as not to send counterproductive messages to the public by making these products look similar.

Public authorities should promote the existence of e-cigarettes as an effective and sustainable smoking cessation method. They should also encourage scientific research, both public and private, to develop products to further reduce the risks.

Vaping is, and must remain, a simple tool to quit smoking. It represents today the most effective method available to smokers who want to stop smoking. 

Vaping Promote England

CONCLUSION

Since the original report was published in 2015 and the UK government's proactive policy to promote smoking cessation through e-cigarettes, smoking rates in the UK have fallen by 5 points.

This political effort has paid off, and the electronic cigarette has become the most popular tool to stop smoking.

Many countries should be inspired by this success !

The challenge today is to find a balance between limiting access to vaping products to minors and non-smokers, without compromising the needs of adults who want to quit smoking. 

If you don't smoke, don't vape.


Thank you for reading. 

The Sweetch team

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