Vapouround magazine VM16 | Page 43

Having the evidence on your side is one thing, turning it into practical action is another. The first key message outright recommends e-cigarettes to smokers who have found other methods of nicotine replacement ineffective. The subsequent findings not only present e-cigarettes as a relatively safe and effective tool but puts other fears to rest – such as claims they are undercutting the decline in smoking rates or acting as a gateway to cigarettes. Here is the full list, with some commentary. “” We welcome this updated evidence review from Public Health England which re-enforces the harm reduction potential and public health gains which can only be realised if smokers are given accurate information about vaping. CHAIRMAN FRASER CROPPER, IBVTA 1. Smokers who have tried other methods of quitting without success could be encouraged to try e-cigarettes (EC) to stop smoking and stop smoking services should support smokers using EC to quit by offering them behavioural support. 2. Encouraging smokers who cannot or do not want to stop smoking to switch to EC could help reduce smoking related disease, death and health inequalities. 3. There is no evidence that EC are undermining the long-term decline in cigarette smoking among adults and youth and may in fact be contributing to it. Despite some experimentation with EC among never smokers, EC are attracting very few people who have never smoked into regular EC use. 4. Recent studies support the Cochrane Review findings that EC can help people to quit smoking and reduce their cigarette consumption. There is also evidence that EC can encourage quitting or cigarette consumption reduction even among those not intending to quit or rejecting other support. More research is needed in this area. 5. When used as intended, EC pose no risk of nicotine poisoning to users, but e-liquids should be in childproof packaging. The accuracy of nicotine content labelling currently raises no major concerns. Ann McNeill has weighed in on the issue of nicotine, saying, “People smoke for the nicotine, but contrary to what the vast majority believe, nicotine causes little if any of the harm. The toxic smoke is the culprit and is the overwhelming cause of all the tobacco-related disease and death. There are now a greater variety of alternative ways of getting nicotine than ever before, including nicotine gum, nasal spray, lozenges and e-cigarettes.” The study’s closing statements also reveal that “experienced vapers, using their own devices, however obtain much better nicotine substitution.” 6. The sixth pointer is a clear indictment of alarmist press coverage concerning e-cigarettes, stating there has been an “overall shift towards the inaccurate perception of EC being as harmful as cigarettes over the last year in contrast to the current expert estimate that using EC is around 95% safer than smoking.” 7. Whilst protecting non-smoking children and ensuring the products on the market are as safe and effective as possible are clearly important goals, new regulations currently planned should also maximise the public health opportunities of EC. 8. Continued vigilance and research in this area are needed. The eighth and final summarised point reminds us that this is an evolving scientific venture and people on every side of the vaping issue must always be vigilant of new research and advances in evidence. A final number to see us into the next phase of public health initiatives is the number 20,000. The gov.uk press release tells us that in this country, “e-cigarettes could be contributing to at least 20,000 successful new quits per year and possibly many more.” The 113-page study can be read in full at g o v. u k . The document thoroughly covers all methodologies used and their specific outcomes. It will no doubt carry significant weight in the vaping industry for some time. VM16 | 43