Vaping and smoking has been a controversial discussion for some time. On the one hand, you have people who see vaping as a way to finally quit smoking, while on the other hand, you have people who believe that vaping is just as harmful as smoking cigarettes. However, a new study has found that switching from smoking to vaping can substantially reduce your health risks. While vaping is advocated as a solution for smokers trying to quit, there have been concerns about the increasing use of vapes among young people who have never smoked before in England.
That aside, this new study provides evidence that vaping is much less harmful than smoking cigarettes and could potentially be a harm reduction strategy for smokers trying to quit. A team of King’s College London researchers established that switching to vaping substantially reduces exposure to toxicants that cause cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, they strongly advise against vaping for non-smokers as vaping contains nicotine.
In her statement, Prof. Ann McNeill, a tobacco addiction expert and the lead author on the study, said smoking was “uniquely deadly” as half of all long-term smokers succumb to tobacco-related illnesses and die prematurely. Even when the odds are against cigarette smokers, the study found that two-thirds of adult smokers were unaware that vaping was less harmful. She continued that vaping poses only a negligible fraction of the risks of smoking, but that does not mean that it is entirely safe.
Also, her co-author Dr. Debbie Robson, advocated that vaping could be a harm reduction strategy for smokers in England, and with government support, it could save lives and help achieve a smoke-free England by 2030.
King’s College London Vaping Report
Commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care through the office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the independent report by King’s College London looked at the evidence on the health risks of vaping in England. The report is one of the first to look comprehensively at long-term studies into the potential harms and benefits of e-cigarettes.
The study draws from more than 400 sources of evidence, including studies on the health effects of smoking, nicotine, and vaping. It is the most up-to-date overview of the evidence on vaping and health to date. While two-thirds of England’s active smokers think vaping is as dangerous or more harmful as smoking, this report established that there are lower or same toxicants in vapers compared to smokers.
Also, the report shows that while adult smokers have declined, vaping among 11- to 18-year-olds has increased from 6.3% to 8.6%. And in just one year, vaping rates have doubled among 16- to 18-year-olds, with the most striking rise seen in those who use disposable vapes – now at more than half of all young vapers.
The Menace of Disposable Vapes
In England, it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to under-18s. However, this report found that one in three 11- to 18-year-olds have tried vaping. While disposable vapes are popular among young people, they are also the least safe option as they generally contain higher levels of toxicants. The fact that they are cheap and law enforcement are not as strict with them as they are with other tobacco products makes them easily accessible to young people. According to the authors, investigations on advertisements, packaging, and marketing of e-cigarettes are needed as they might play a role in the increased uptake of vaping among young people.
From the findings of this report, it is evident that vaping is much less harmful than smoking cigarettes. This is good news for smokers who are trying to quit, as they now have a viable option that will not do as much damage to their health. However, the increased uptake of vaping among young people is a cause for concern. It is important for parents and educators to be aware of the risks associated with vaping and disposable vapes in particular. The marketing and advertising of e-cigarettes also need to be closely monitored to ensure that they are not targeted at young people.
