England will soon be the first country to offer e-cigarettes for smokers.
Despite overwhelming evidence pointing out the health risks of vaping the medical regulator is allowing it to be offered on NHS.
Manufacturers will have the opportunity to submit e-cigarettes for approval to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. They will undergo the same approval process as other medicines.
They could then become a medical product that can be prescribed by doctors to patients who wish to quit smoking.
Currently, the NHS advises that vaping can help smokers – though it is not available on prescription.
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, said that opening up e-cigarettes licensed on the NHS was a way to reduce smoking rates in the country and help people quit smoking regardless of where they live.
E-cig devices typically cost around £20 to £30, plus more for replacement cartridges.
The controversial move is despite the World Health Organisation declaring last year that the devices were ‘undoubtedly dangerous’.
Currently, the NHS advises that vaping can help smokers – though it is not available on prescription (file photo)
It was concluded at that time that there wasn’t enough evidence to support their use in aiding people to quit smoking.
The World Heart Federation calls for stricter regulation to end the ‘ecigarette epidemic’.
Around 2.7million adults in England already vape, with the industry in the UK worth around £1billion.
E-cigarettes are a liquid nicotine form that can be heated to make vapour and inhaled.
Experts agree that vaping devices are safer than smoking. However, there have been some shocking cases of illness related to vaping.
Three deaths have been linked to vaping products or e-cigarettes in the UK since May 2016.
Many scientists are concerned about safety concerns, especially with regard to the liquids used in e-cigarette flavoring.
Studies have linked these to ‘popcorn lung’ – a severe health problem which in extreme cases can require a lung transplant.
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary (pictured), said that opening up e-cigarettes licensed on the NHS had the potential to address the’sharp disparities in smoking rates across this country, helping people quit smoking wherever they live and regardless of their background.
Mr Javid stated last night that the country is still a leader in healthcare, whether it be our Covid-19 vaccine rollout, which saved lives, or our innovative public-health measures, which reduced the risk of serious illness.
“Opening the door for a licensed e-cigarette prescribed by the NHS has the potential of reducing the huge disparities in smoking rates throughout the country and helping people quit smoking, wherever they are located.
The new plans are part the aim to make England smoke-free by 2030.
It is unclear if the devolved healthcare services in Scotland or Wales will follow suit regarding e-cigarette licensing.
Although the UK has lowered smoking rates to a record low, it is still the leading cause for preventable death. There are currently 6.1million smokers in England. Nearly one in four of these people smoke in certain areas like Blackpool and Kingston upon Hull.
Supporters of vaping point out British research that estimates that e-cigarettes helped over 50,000 smokers quit smoking in England in 2017.
The World Heart Federation has however cited evidence to show that e-cigarettes “hook first users”, with smokers who try e-cigarettes often becoming dual-users of both traditional and electronic cigarettes.
People who use an e-cigarette and local Stop Smoking services to quit smoking have the highest success rates. In 2020/21, 68% of them successfully quit.
Many scientists are concerned about safety issues, particularly in relation to the liquids used for flavouring e-cigarettes. Studies have linked these to ‘popcorn lung’ – a severe health problem which in extreme cases can require a lung transplant (file photo)
However, critics of these devices argue that psychological support is the most important factor in helping people quit.
Professor Martin McKee from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine – who is against the promotion of e-cigarettes – said: ‘It is bizarre and puzzling that this announcement on paving the way to prescribing e-cigarettes comes so soon after the World Heart Federation has called on strict regulations to stop the vaping epidemic.
“The e-cigarette industry has had more time than ten years to show really strong evidence that these devices are the answer to tobacco smoking, but it has not done so.
“It is remarkable that the industry has failed to convince regulators about the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes almost everywhere else in this world.”
Professor Peter Hajek, director of Queen Mary University of London’s Tobacco Dependence Research Unit, stated that e-cigarettes are more beneficial to smokers if they have the ability to choose flavours, strengths, and products they prefer, rather than being restricted to what is licensed.
“It does not seem necessary that the NHS pay for something smokers are happy to purchase.