William Eichler 06 February 2018

Stop smoking services should recommend use of e-cigarettes, health body says

Local stop smoking services and healthcare professionals should provide behavioural support to those smokers wanting to quit with the help of an e-cigarette, public health body says.

Public Health England’s (PHE) new e-cigarette evidence review has revealed vaping poses only a ‘small fraction’ of the risks of smoking and switching to electronic cigarettes provides ‘substantial health benefits’ for smokers.

The report, which was undertaken by leading independent tobacco experts, found there was much public misunderstanding about nicotine.

According to PHE’s findings, less than 10% of adults understood most of the harms to health from smoking are not caused by nicotine but mostly come instead from tar and other carcinogenic chemicals.

This misunderstanding has lead many thousands of smokers to incorrectly conclude vaping is as harmful as smoking. PHE found around 40% of smokers have not even tried an e-cigarette.

Despite this, the national health body said e-cigarettes could be contributing to at least 20,000 successful new quits per year and advises local stop smoking services recommend the use of e-cigarettes to those trying to quit.

The report also concluded that the evidence does not support the concern that e-cigarettes are a route into smoking among young people.

‘Every minute someone is admitted to hospital from smoking, with around 79,000 deaths a year in England alone,’ said Professor John Newton, director for health improvement at PHE.

‘Our new review reinforces the finding that vaping is a fraction of the risk of smoking, at least 95% less harmful, and of negligible risk to bystanders.

‘Yet over half of smokers either falsely believe that vaping is as harmful as smoking or just don’t know.

‘It would be tragic if thousands of smokers who could quit with the help of an e-cigarette are being put off due to false fears about their safety.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner