PHE Maintains Vaping Is Safer Despite US Crisis

Despite the worries about e-cigarettes in the United States, the experts and researchers at Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians are maintaining their claim that vapour is at least 95% safer than smoking. In the US, an outbreak of lung illness was initially blamed on vaping. Eventually, the CDC determined that the actual cause was vitamin E acetate found in black market THC oil. However, the CDC is still advising against vaping.

https://www.blacknote.com/e-juice/

The chaos in the United States has caused vape users to go back to smoking. Mig Vapor, a US-based ecig store, is one of the independent American e-cig companies that have been fighting back against flavour bans. “Flavours are not the issue,” a company spokeswoman said “the issue is the THC oils made by drug dealers as well as the misinformation coming from the media. The uproar caused by inappropriately blaming e-cigarettes is effectively driving people back to cigarettes.” 

She went on to explain that the UK is taking a much smarter approach to vaping. In fact, unlike the US, we limit nicotine content but embrace using vapour products as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. The UK government sees electronic cigarettes as a key part of reaching the goal of ending smoking by 2030.

US Crisis Leading To World-Wide Suspicion

In January, the World Health Organisation issued a new health warning regarding e-cigarettes. WHO expressed doubt that vaping is an effective means of quitting smoking. They cautioned that e-cigarette vapour is not safe and the lack of long-term studies is a reason for smokers to avoid using a vapour device. Instead, WHO advises smokers to use nicotine patches, gums, or quit-smoking medications.

UK researchers did not take the WHO warning lying down. Peter Hajek directs the Tobacco Dependence Research Unit at Queen Mary University of London. Hajek said that WHO has a history of anti-vaping activism that is damaging the organisation’s reputation. Hajek said, “Less than 1% of non-smokers become regular vapers. Vaping does not lead young people to smoking.” Hajek went on to say, “There is clear evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers quit.”

Hajek was certainly not alone in his criticism of the WHO statement. John Britton is the director of the UK Centre for Tobacco & Alcohol Studies and one of the authors of the original Public Health England study that deemed vaping to be at least 95% safer than smoking. Britton said, “WHO misrepresents the available scientific evidence.” Britton stands by the claim that vaping is indeed safer than smoking.

Smoke-Free By 2030

England has set a goal of being smoke-free by 2030. Health officials in England view vapour devices as one of the means to end smoking. In Scotland, the government has set an ambitious goal to create the first tobacco-free generation by 2034. The goal is for kids born after 2013 to grow up smoke-free leading the way for a tobacco-free Scotland for generations to come. Scotland is one of the few countries in the world aiming to raise a tobacco-free generation.

Smoking is the number one cause of premature death in Scotland. It is estimated that smoking leads to 128,000 hospital visits every year costing the NHS more than 300 million pounds. Worse, 10,000 Scots die from a smoking-related illness every year.

Currently, vapour products are available to Scots. In fact, there are several vape shops in Paisley. You must be at least 18 to purchase. Anyone who looks under 25 must show ID.

Should You Vape Instead Of Smoke?

The pros and cons of vaping are much in dispute. The United States, the WHO, and others have taken a harsh view of vapour. Many countries are enacting strict laws to discourage the practice. But in the UK the approach is much different. Public Health England is more adamant than ever that vaping is safer than smoking.

Here are the basic facts about vaping to help you decide who to believe. We know for a certainty that smoking is deadly. Starting chemically treated tobacco on fire is obviously not good for you. Contrarily, a vapour device heats a liquid comprised of nicotine, flavour, and VG or PG to the point of vapourization. That means no burning occurs with e-cigarettes.

VG stands for vegetable glycerin, which is a liquid derived from palm plants. VG is used in everyday items including foods. PG stands for propylene glycol, which is a common substance used in everyday items like shampoo and even toothpaste. Ideally, the only thing any of us would ever inhale would be crisp, clean air. But the real question is whether or not it is better to breathe in smoke or vapour.

At the end of the day, we look forward to future generations not using any type of tobacco product at all. But until then, anything that can prevent 10,000 Scottish families from losing a loved one every year should be applauded.

Image from pixabay

https://pixabay.com/photos/vaping-vape-e-cigarette-e-vape-3576049