Since the rise in popularity of e-cigarettes, there has been a lot of debate over whether or not they are actually a gateway to smoking. Some people believe that vaping is just as bad as smoking and may lead more people to start smoking cigarettes. However, one latest research has shown that this isn’t the case at all.
Therefore, it is crucial to know all about e-cigs before deciding to use them as an alternative to traditional smoking. You must also be aware of its effects and how to use it for smoking cessation if that's your goal.
Proof how e-cigs are not gateways to smoking
A recent study published by University College London (UCL) stated that while vaping has increased in England, it's not leading to more people taking up cigarettes. This study analysed data from 2007 to 2018 using a national database of smokers and non-smokers across Great Britain.
This is the largest such research ever conducted at UCL, with over three hundred households representing all age groups for months. As per the results, the odds of becoming an addicted smoker are much lower for those who vape. This also rules out previous research that claimed young vapers to be more prone to taking up smoking.
It also mentions that only one out of ten teenagers who use e-cigarettes are likely to become routine tobacco users over time. In contrast, the other nine stay away from cigarettes thanks to their vaping habits. Moreover, the same study estimates that about 50,000 smokers are likely to quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes per year.
Vaping vs smoking
The debate around vaping versus smoking cigarettes has been raging for years, and there is no clear consensus. But this debate can potentially be concluded with one respiratory research that suggests vaping to be considerably less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
As per the same research, those who used e-cigarettes were significantly less likely to develop lung cancer than those who smoked tobacco cigarettes. Besides, people who switched from smoking to vaping had a substantially lower risk of dying from a smoking-related cause over a five-year period.
When you smoke a cigarette, you inhale thousands of harmful chemicals, including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. These can damage your lungs and increase your risk of cancer. Vaping doesn't involve any of these harmful chemicals.
The only things you're inhaling while vaping are vapour and nicotine. If you're looking to quit smoking, vaping is a great alternative instead of believing it to be a cause of nicotine addiction.
How are e-cigs helping smokers?
E-cigarettes are not 100% safe, but they are much safer than traditional cigarettes. In fact, according to a study by Public Health England (PHE), e-cigarettes are 95% safer than conventional cigarettes. E-cigarettes also do not produce any smoke, so they are not harmful to the people in your vicinity.
E-cigarettes also offer smokers a way to get their nicotine fix without smoking tobacco. Many smokers enjoy using e-cigarettes as they come in different flavours instead of the usual harsh taste of tobacco cigarettes.
Another interesting fact is that e-cigarettes provide smokers with the sensation of smoking, which can help them transition away from smoking cigarettes. Some e-cigarette users even reported reduced use of e-cigarettes once they've switched to using them entirely. Now, this is another positive sign that they are helping people quit smoking cigarettes.
Government’s move: Prescribing e-cigs as an alternative
England is set to become the first country in Europe to prescribe vaping as an alternative method of quitting smoking. This bold move will help England combat high rates of tobacco use and overall health care costs, which have been on a steady rise. With a reduction in the use of cigarettes, preventable smoking-related illnesses and deaths will also decline.
The Local Government Association is pushing the UK government to lower VAT on e-cigarettes from 20 per cent to 5 per cent. As a result, e-cigs could sell in the same tax bracket as other nicotine weaning products such as gums and patches. Thus, it'll encourage people to quit smoking the right way instead of just going cold turkey and starting again.
In Conclusion
Despite what you may have heard, electronic cigarettes are not gateways to smoking. In fact, they may be the best way to quit smoking for good. We've talked about the research that shows e-cigarettes are effective for quitting smoking.
While there is still some debate over whether or not e-cigarettes are effective smoking cessation tools, the evidence seems to be pointing in that direction. If you or someone you know is looking for a way to quit smoking, consider using an electronic cigarette. You may be surprised at how easy it is to ditch tobacco cigarettes once and for all using vape products.