Vaping can be something of a divisive topic, especially when it comes to the inevitable debate around whether it is for the good, bad or undetermined. Yet there are still 7million smokers in the UK, so it is clearly an area that needs focus given the proven risk of smoking to public health.
With Public Health England determining that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and that e-cigarettes have the potential to help people quit smoking why aren’t people making the switch? And with an Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) study finding that 22.1% thought e-cigarettes were as harmful and if not more harmful than normal cigarettes does more need to be done around vaping education?
The IBVTA believe several areas may be at play
– Lack of information – are advertising restrictions limiting the ability of manufacturers to adequately communicate the relative benefits to the public?
– Regulation – the IBVTA often question whether the level of regulation placed on the industry is relative or whether industry specific regulation needs to be put in place
– Government backing – this could help to dispel some of the misperceptions around vaping and help current smokers understand the benefits e-cigarettes could have on helping them quit
To this end, the IBVTA together with the Royal Society for Public Health have created this video highlighting misunderstandings around vaping and discussing what the government can do to support smokers make the switch.
The IBVTA are again partnering with Public Health England for this year’s ‘Stoptober’ campaign with the aim of further educating and providing accurate vaping information. And with ASH recently revealing that vaping numbers have tipped 3million in the UK, 4 times as many as in 2012 could people be starting to get the message that switching can help their health?
