The facts: Vaping to quit smoking - Public Health Dorset
The facts: Vaping to quit smoking
You might have heard lots of different things about vaping in the media. Here, we clear up the facts about vaping, based on scientific evidence.
In 2021, only 34% of adult smokers accurately believed that vaping was less harmful than smoking. It’s important that people who smoke understand the difference in health risk to support them to quit.
If you are a smoker, are 18+ and live in the Dorset Council or BCP Council area, you can get a free vape starter kit through our Swap 2 Stop scheme. Visit livewelldorset.co.uk for a range of support to quit smoking.
In 2021, only 34% of adult smokers accurately believed that vaping was less harmful than smoking. It’s important that people who smoke understand the difference in health risk to support them to quit.
If you are a smoker, are 18+ and live in the Dorset Council or BCP Council area, you can get a free vape starter kit through our Swap 2 Stop scheme. Visit livewelldorset.co.uk for a range of support to quit smoking.
FACT: Non-smokers shouldn’t start vaping
The evidence is clear that vaping is a healthier alternative for people who smoke. Vaping isn’t entirely risk-free and nicotine is addictive, so it is only recommended for adult smokers to support them to quit smoking.
FACT: Vaping is much less harmful to your health than continuing to smoke
It is clear from scientific evidence that vaping is much less harmful to health than smoking tobacco. That’s why it’s a good thing to switch from smoking to vaping. Tobacco smoke from cigarettes contains thousands of toxic chemicals that can cause serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, lung disease and stroke. The vast majority of these aren’t found in vapes, so by switching completely from smoking to vaping, you’ll be exposing yourself to significantly fewer harmful substances. It is these chemicals in the tobacco smoke, not the nicotine, that cause almost all the harm to health. Nicotine replacement has been used safely and effectively in stop-smoking support for years.
FACT: Vaping is one of the most effective ways to quit smoking
Evidence shows that nicotine vapes are more effective than other nicotine replacement therapies, and they are a very popular way to quit. It has been estimated that there are up to 50,700 additional quitters a year in England because of them. Some people find that vaping works for them because it replicates many of the habits of smoking, like the hand-to-mouth action. With our Swap 2 Stop offer, you get extra advice and resources through LiveWell Dorset to support you on your quit journey.
FACT: You should vape as much as you need to avoid temptation to smoke
Each time you draw on a vape, you’re exposing yourself to a fraction of the toxic chemicals you would each time you drew on a cigarette. Generally it takes longer for nicotine to reach the brain with vaping compared to smoking, so you may need to vape more frequently. You should vape as much as you need to avoid being tempted to smoke. You’ll only get the full benefits by switching to vaping completely. You can look to quit vaping once you’re sure you won’t return to smoking.
FACT: Vapes are tightly regulated in the UK
In the UK, vaping products are tightly regulated for safety and quality. All vape products for sale must be notified to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) with detailed information including all ingredients. The vape kits in our Swap 2 Stop offer come from Totally Wicked Vapes. They have a rigorous testing programme to ensure their products meet premium standards. If you are purchasing your own vaping products, make sure you get yours from a reputable supplier like a specialist vape shop, pharmacy, supermarket or a UK-based online retailer so they are covered by UK safety and quality regulations.
FACT: There is no evidence that vaping is harmful to people around you
It is clear from scientific evidence that exposure to second hand smoke from tobacco smoking is very harmful. In contrast, the evidence so far tells us there are no risks from passive vaping to the health of people around you. The vast majority of toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke are not present in vapes, so it’s better for you and those around you to swap from smoking to vaping.
FACT: There is no evidence that vaping causes ‘popcorn lung’
Some people have questions about whether vaping causes damage to your lungs, through conditions like ‘popcorn lung’. Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) is an uncommon type of lung disease. The disease was found in a group of factory workers exposed to a chemical (diacetyl) used to flavour popcorn. Diacetyl is contained in cigarette smoke, but it is banned as an ingredient in UK-regulated nicotine vapes and e-liquids.