Getting smokers to vape will save lives

ALMOST everyone has a view on e-cigarettes — and even more so following the publication of several recent studies suggesting vaping isn’t without risk.

A study of 70,000 people has linked e-cigarettes to an increased risk of heart attack in those vaping daily, while in other research changes in DNA in the mouth has raised the possibility of a link to cancer.

In my view, the evidence for the harmful effects of e-cigs is far from conclusive, and it will be some years before we know what the long-term consequences are.

In the meantime, we know exactly what smoking does to the body and I doubt e-cigs will come close.

I’m a former smoker, but have never vaped myself, although I’ve seen how effective e-cigs are in helping my patients quit. We’d be mad not to make use of this.

A report from the Commons Science and Technology Committee recommends relaxing licensing and advertising rules so that the health benefits of e-cigarettes can be actively promoted.

I completely agree with that view, and disagree with EU murmurings that regulation of the e-cigarette market is needed. Smoking kills 200 people a day in the UK. It’s the number one cause of preventable deaths — and 20 per cent of the population still smokes.

That’s 20 per cent too many, and it is an important public health issue because smoking most heavily impacts the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society.

So if you are a smoker, switch to e-cigarettes. Short of quitting altogether, it’s the best thing you can do for your health.