E-cigarettes likely to benefit health of nation, say medics
E-CIGARETTES are likely to benefit the health of the nation and should be widely promoted as a substitute for smoking, a new report has concluded.
The Royal College of Physicians’ (RCP) report says smokers can be “reassured and encouraged” to use the controversial devices.
A Public Health Bill which included a ban on e-cigarette use in some public places was rejected by AMs in March.
Experts at the college looked into the science, public policy, regulation and ethics surrounding e-cigarettes and made a series of conclusions about the devices.
It found e-cigarettes are not a “gateway to smoking” in the UK and are predominantly being used by those who have already tried the tobacco equivalent.
It also concluded there was no evidence that e-cigarettes result in the
“re-normalisation” of smoking.
Vaping has also been described as “beneficial” in encouraging smokers to quit.
There is a possibility that the devices may result in some long-term harm because of the inhalation of the ingredients other than nicotine.
But the harm that could be caused is substantially smaller than that caused by smoking, the authors said.
While there is a need for “sensible” regulation of the devices, regulation should not significantly inhibit the development and use of the products, they add.
Professor John Britton, chairman of the RCP’s Tobacco Advisory Group, said: “The growing use of electronic ciga- rettes as a substitute for tobacco smoking has been a topic of great controversy, with much speculation over their potential risks and benefits.
“This report lays to rest almost all of the concerns over these products and concludes that, with sensible regulation, electronic cigarettes have the potential to make a major contribution towards preventing the premature death, disease and social inequalities in health that smoking currently causes in the UK. Smokers should be reassured that these products can help them quit all tobacco use forever.”
RCP president Professor Jane Dacre added: “With careful management and proportionate regulation, harm reduction provides an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people.
“It is an opportunity that, with care, we should take.”
Commenting on the report, Cancer Research UK’s director of prevention, Alison Cox, said e-cigarettes had “real promise” in helping to reduce the huge death toll from tobacco in the UK. She said: “This important report is an accurate summary of the latest scientific evidence on e-cigarettes and will help dispel the increasingly common misconception that they’re as harmful as smoking. They’re not.
“Tobacco kills more than 100,000 people in the UK every year – we should grasp every opportunity to encourage as many people as possible to stop smoking for good.”
Miguel Corral, co-founder of vaping brand VIP, said: “While there are a lot of myths and unfounded assumptions sur- rounding e-cigarettes it’s widely recognised that vaping plays a major role in helping people to quit smoking.
“Vaping has never been linked to increased levels of tobacco smoking and our customer base comprises mainly past and current smokers who are looking for a healthier, safer alternative.
“Of course we understand that there is some confusion around the benefits of vaping and possible safety concerns; however, people should remember that e-cigarettes are a viable alternative to smoking.
“While some may worry that the act of vaping ‘normalises’ smoking, it seems somewhat far-fetched to suggest that children who see someone with an e-cigarette in their hand will be encouraged to take up smoking later in life.”