16/09/2015

PHE And Health Bodies Issue Statement On E-Cig Use

The health risks of e-cigarettes are "relatively small" in comparison to regular cigarettes, Public Health England (PHE) has restated.

PHE has issued a statement, in conjunction with a number of other public health organisations, and said that while the long-term effects of e-cigs must be studied, they have a responsibility to provide clear information on the facts as they know them.

The statement reads: "To be clear, the public health opportunity is in helping smokers to quit, so we may encourage smokers to try vaping but we certainly encourage vapers to stop smoking tobacco completely.

"We know that e-cigarettes are the most popular quitting tool in the country with more than 10 times as many people using them than using local stop smoking services. But, we also know that using local stop smoking services is by far the most effective way to quit.

"What we need to do is combine the most popular method with the most effective and that is why we are encouraging those who want to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking to seek the help of their local stop smoking service."

(MH/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 February 2011
Smokers 'Quit Kit' In Time For Valentine's
Smokers in the North West are being encouraged to share a ‘fresh breath’ kiss with their Valentine this year, by quitting smoking with the help of a free NHS Quit Kit now available in participating pharmacies.
24 July 2003
NHS services help record number of smokers to quit
Nearly 124,000 smokers kicked the habit last year after receiving help from NHS Stop Smoking Services, according to government figures released today. The data shows that of the 234,400 smokers in England who set a quit date between April 2002 and March 2003 over half said they had successfully given up four weeks later.
16 January 2012
2012 Smoking Campaign Launched
A new campaign was launched today encouraging smokers to quit with the help of Scotland's national stop smoking helpline. Smokeline 0800 848484 offers people tips on how to kick the habit geared towards their personal circumstances and needs.
19 August 2015
Report Finds E-Cigs 95% Safer Than Cigarettes
A independent review on the evidence of the use of e-cigarettes has concluded that they are "significantly less harmful" than tobacco products and have the potential to help people quit smoking.
22 June 2004
Smokers die 10 years younger, according to long-term study
On average cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, but stopping at age 50 halves the risk, and stopping at 30 avoids almost all of it, according to a 50-year-long study of smoking and death among British doctors, published in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).