- Vaping misinformation fuels youth smoking
- UK smoking decline plateaus
- Proposals: Prescription-only vapes
Misinformation and alarming tales about vaping may contribute to an increase in youth smoking, according to experts.
Since the Covid pandemic, the decades-long decline in the number of smokers in England has plateaued, according to a report published last week. Researchers hypothesised that this likely resulted from an increase in young individuals beginning to smoke.
Deborah Arnott, the chief executive officer of Action on Smoking and Health, stated to this publication that she attributes part of the problem to false information about the hazards of vapes. She said, “All the negative press surrounding vaping has not helped.” “Similar to tobacco, suggesting that vapes should be packaged in plain containers, branded with health warnings, and concealed from view creates the false impression that both substances are equally hazardous.”
Wes Streeting, the Shadow Health Secretary, stated in October that a Labour government would prohibit the commercial sale of vapes and restrict their availability to prescription only. He said that preventing a “generation of children” from developing a nicotine addiction was crucial. The proposals resemble those of Australia, which mandates the use of prescriptions for vapes.
According to research, one in every five children in the United Kingdom will have attempted vaping by 2023, a 30% increase from the previous year. Demonising vaping, according to experts, is more likely to increase the number of smokers than to decrease it.
“In Australia, where vapes require a prescription, smoking rates have increased because cigarettes are more accessible,” explains Ms Arnott.
A behavioural science expert at University College London and the principal author of the most recent report on smoking rates in the United Kingdom, Dr Sarah Jackson, also suggested that ‘inaccurate’ media headlines about the dangers of vaping could be a factor in the increase in youth smoking. “Incorrectly, many individuals now believe that vaping is more hazardous than smoking,” she stated.
In the short to medium term, vaping poses a “small fraction of the health risks of smoking,” according to a report from King’s College London published last year.
“Don’t miss out! Grab your free shares of Webull UK today!”
Dr. Jackson states, “While vapes do contain some toxic chemicals linked to long-term health issues, the concentration is considerably lower than that of cigarettes.” “While we do not wish for individuals to vape unnecessarily, encouraging current smokers to transition to vaping would positively impact the health of thousands.”
