A reported “surge” in teen and unemployed male smoking has reversed a 40-year decline. The revelation puts the government’s aim of eradicating smoking by 2030 in jeopardy. Fortunately, findings from researchers at Queen Mary University of London this month have shown (again) that vaping/using electronic cigarettes is the best way to help smokers quit if strongly promoted.
What is this “surge” in smoking?
An organisation called Future Health, founded by former Health secretary Matt Hancock’s advisor Richard Sloggett, has found a “surge in young people smoking” and adults, “particularly out of work men”.
What did Future Health say about the 2030 target?
Future Health believes that based on its findings, the government will miss the 2030 target and there will be at least 600,000 more smokers by that date – unless the government takes “drastic and immediate action”.
Why has this rise in smoking occurred?
Deborah Arnott, of Action on Smoking and Health said: “When you have a group of young people navigating such a turbulent time as the pandemic, you will also find turbulent smoking habits.”
What can help address this situation?
Electronic cigarettes/e-cigs / vaping. It has been demonstrated that switching form fags to the vapes helps much more than other stop smoking approaches.
But you would say that anyway!
True, but only because we are following the evidence being provided by excellent independent researchers in the United Kingdom
What evidence?
The latest study by researchers at Queen Mary University of London found, “e-cigarettes are more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in achieving long term smoking reduction and cessation.”
The authors of the project said: “The study found a significant difference in smoking reduction (including quitting altogether) in the e-cigarette group.”
What did the researchers say?
Dr Katie Myers Smith, the lead researcher, said: “These results have important clinical implications for smokers who have previously been unable to stop smoking using conventional treatments. E-cigarettes should be recommended to smokers who have previously struggled to quit using other methods, particularly when there is limited behavioural support available.”
Did anybody else comment on the findings?
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “This study shows e-cigarettes can be a very effective tool for people who want to stop smoking, including those who’ve tried to quit before. And research so far shows that vaping is far less harmful than smoking. But e-cigarettes aren’t risk-free, and we don’t yet know their long-term effects, so people who have never smoked shouldn’t use them. It’s important to switch over completely to get the benefits and reduce your risk of cancer. Talk to your GP or free, local stop smoking service about finding the best option for you.”