Health professionals debate the impacts of vaping and its potential as a smoking cessation tool amidst the proposed ban on most disposable vapes.
The proliferation of vape shops in the contemporary urban landscapes of New Zealand has reached the point where they are on par with the ubiquitous corner cafes. This change in the smoking habits of the country has sparked continuous disputes, and it has sparked concerns that vaping may develop a generation of smokers who are more adept at using technology. In spite of this, there are plans to begin banning the majority of disposable vapes in the month of August, which has led to a shift in the narrative, which has prompted health professionals to regard vaping as a promising indication for public health.
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Smoking in the Digital Age
On a recent episode of Breakfast, Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, a prominent player in Australia’s anti-smoking movement, said that electronic cigarettes should be used to help reduce the number of individuals who smoke regular cigarettes. Despite his reservations about disposable vapes, he maintains that quitting smoking and converting to vaping might be a positive option.
“There’s no question now; the evidence is becoming stronger and stronger. Vaping is a highly effective method. It’s the best method we have, not perfect but by far the most effective method,” Mendelsohn stated emphatically.
Balancing Act for Health and Availability
His worries revolve around striking a balance that will allow for the availability of safe and high-quality products, as well as the dissemination of accurate information to the general public, while simultaneously preventing the use of vaping devices by people under the age of 18. Although he acknowledged the importance of disposable vapes in helping adult smokers make the switch away from cigarettes, Mendelsohn acknowledged that he has conflicting views about the imminent ban on the devices.
“I think they should ideally be available for transition for people who want to switch from a cigarette – but there is the concern about them being more available for young people,” he said.
From a public health perspective, the transition from traditional tobacco products to less harmful alternatives, like vapes, is an important goal. Yet, the need for incentivizing the switch has been emphasized, acknowledging the potential of vaping to shape a healthier population.
An Australian Tale of Caution
When we look at Australia, we see that a similar worry regarding vapes led to the implementation of stringent laws, including the need for a prescription in order to buy disposable vapes. On the other hand, this has inadvertently given rise to an unregulated and clandestine market. Mendelsohn cautions that attempting to replicate this in New Zealand would be a “big mistake,” drawing attention to the fact that there are no age limitations or quality checks on the illicit market.
His research of the Australian model presents a gloomy image of a “slow train wreck” in which reticent physicians, compounded by negative narratives around vaping, make it difficult to obtain nicotine prescriptions. Patients are perplexed as a result of this, wondering why it is more difficult to obtain a potentially helpful aid for quitting smoking than it is to purchase a pack of smokes from the neighbourhood convenience store.
Mendelsohn retains a positive stance on the future of vaping despite the fact that there are certain issues. He is very certain that those who vape are moving away from the unhealthy habit of smoking, and that the negative effects that vaping has on young people are to a very little extent.
“In most countries where vaping rates are rising in young people, smoking rates are falling faster than they ever have – by far, that’s the most important outcome from the use of these products, that they act as an alternative to deadly cigarettes and that’s a good thing,” he concluded.
The discussion around e-cigarettes and vaping is still going strong in New Zealand, despite the fact that the country is on the verge of potentially making big legislative changes. There is an immediate and critical requirement to find a middle ground that will safeguard the general population’s health while at the same time facilitating the availability of potentially helpful resources for smokers who are eager to kick the habit. strategies for quitting smoking, such as vaping, are emerging as a possible silver lining in the cloud of tobacco addiction. These strategies stand at the crossroads of tradition and innovation.
