A report released by Public Health England (PHE) last year contains good news for anyone out there who uses electronic cigarettes. The headline news from this report confirms that electronic cigarettes are at a minimum 95% safer than smoking regular cigarettes. This report was issued in August 2015.
Now they have come up with more guidance on the “use of e-cigarettes in public places and workplaces”. This was first published on 6th July 2016 and as you might guess, it has already received plenty of headlines.
The annual cost of smoking
According to Public Health England, around £13.9 billion is lost each year in association with smoking. This takes into account lost working days because people are ill, as well as the cost of treating them.
Aiming for a new generation that does not use tobacco
Public Health England certainly does believe that switching from smoking to using e-cigarettes could help many people quit the habit altogether. They have estimated that around 2.8 million people throughout Great Britain now vape to some extent. Most of these are either smokers looking to cut down or quit, or people who have used the e-cigs to help them quit already. PHE also pointed out that there is a growing body of evidence that indicates vaping can help smokers quit the habit.
They have set a remarkable goal for themselves to ensure a new generation of youngsters will be completely tobacco-free by the time 2025 rolls around. Whether they achieve that or not remains to be seen, but clearly they do want to support the use of e-cigarettes when it comes to helping people quit smoking.
The difference between vaping E-Cigarettes and smoking regular cigarettes
This is pointed out as the first of five principles their update includes when focusing on the use of e-cigs in workplaces and in other public areas. We’ve noticed there has sometimes been a knee-jerk reaction in banning vaping in public places, just as cigarettes are banned from being smoked in these areas. However, if vaping is far safer than smoking, and it has the potential to make smoking less normal in society, it could be something that should be allowed rather than banned.
The idea of the principles included in the report is to guide those who make policies on such matters. They also point out that vapour is released by those using electronic cigarettes, and this has led some to assume it is just as dangerous as the second-hand smoke experienced by those who are near smokers. Again, it is a knee-jerk reaction – despite much evidence that says vaping is nowhere near as dangerous as smoking. Remember the fact given near the start of this article – the fact that PHE says vaping is at least 95% safer than smoking.
Indeed, they go on to say policies should be created with the aim of discouraging people from smoking and supporting them to quit. Surely this would be easier if vaping was allowed in public places, and more information was provided for those who were unsure about the consequences of vaping on health?
They also point out that it is easy to tell whether someone is smoking or vaping, even though the cloud of vapour might initially cause someone to wonder. The distinctive smell of smoke gives away a smoker very easily indeed. On the other hand, vaping can have quite a nice aroma, and it certainly doesn’t create any ash like a cigarette does.
Focusing on the options
The idea of vaping in public places is still odd for some. Obviously, a lot can depend on whether or not you vape. Sometimes you might feel perfectly able to vape in a public location, and at other times the ban will be only too obvious.
The good news is it seems as though Public Health England support the idea of vaping in general. They certainly believe there is an opportunity to help and support smokers who want to quit by encouraging the switch to electronic cigarettes. Indeed, many tobacco companies are hastily buying up e-cig manufacturers and creating their own products. They can see the potential for future smokers to drop in number as e-cigs provide a safer alternative.
Yes, there is still nicotine involved when you use an e-cig. But let’s be real here – cigarettes include hundreds of other nasties that e-cigs do not have. So there is a real opportunity to stop smoking in a much easier way than ever before. Furthermore, it is good to see PHE encouraging positivity around the topic. It looks as though a nation of vapers could save them money after all – not to mention potentially saving lives.
What is your opinion on this? Do you believe vaping should be allowed in all public places? Have you made the switch to e-cigs or are thinking of doing so?
