Will putting e-cigarettes on prescription really help smokers to give up?

WAS the NHS really set up to provide e-cigarettes on prescription (Mail)? In these times of reduced resources and increased national debt, priority for NHS funds should be given to the essentials, such as treatment for cancer sufferers, stroke victims and heart attack patients — plus training urgently needed doctors and nurses.

JOY HALL, Retford, Notts.

SURELY if a smoker really want to quit this expensive habit, they can afford to pay a much less significant amount for e-cigarettes. Health issues resulting from smoking are self-inflicted and non-smokers should not be contributing towards this ill-thought-out proposal.

HILARY DAVIES, Llangefni, Anglesey.

WHY are we taking money from patients who need it and spending it on those who

can’t give up an addiction? My sevenmonth-old granddaughter needs a special helmet because her head was damaged in the womb, but there is no NHS money for this.

CATHERINE POPE, Milton Keynes, Bucks.

DESPITE the fact the World Health Organisation has branded vaping as harmful, our cash-strapped Government has decided to use the money allocated to prop up the NHS to finance people’s nicotine addiction.

P. NIELSEN, Wimborne, Dorset.

WHAT next: low-alcohol beer on the NHS for alcoholics? I was a 40-a-day smoker for 35 years, but gave up immediately after a health scare. You don’t need patches or e-cigarettes, just willpower.

MALDWYN JONES, Holyhead, Anglesey.

WHAT about putting CBD oil on prescription for people with chronic pain that is ruining their lives.

PAT RAWNSLEY, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts.

OFFERING e-cigarettes on prescription is laudable, but there are drawbacks. The majority will be paying for the minority. Are we swapping one harmful habit for another? This will be hugely expensive with little guarantee of success. As a former smoker, I know the only way is to stop, not rely on a substitute.

CHRIS SHARP, Leeds.

CAN I get chocolate on prescription to help me give it up?

CAROL OWEN, Chorley, Lancs.

I WANT to quit John Smith’s bitter — may I have it on prescription?

PAUL RUANE, Cannington, Somerset.