LONDON, 16 October 2020 — We Vape, has welcomed the publication of the Cochrane Library evidence update on vaping. The update, released yesterday, highlighted that vaping is 70% more effective than nicotine replacement therapy in helping people quit smoking. An important message for smokers as the UK moves towards its smoke-free goal of 2030.
However, the number of vapers in the UK has actually declined over the last year dropping from 3.6 million to 3.2 million. Coupled with 61% of smokers believing that vaping is as or more harmful for them than smoking indicates the UK Government should be doing more to encourage and promote the use of vapour products as a quitting tool.
This evidence update has come at the mid way point of Stoptober, a national campaign to encourage smokers to quit.
“I’ve experienced first-hand how switching from cigarettes to vaping helps people quit smoking and improve their lives,” said Mark Oates, founder of We Vape. “I want to make sure that the millions of smokers across the UK are encouraged and empowered to make that switch.”
Oates launched We Vape to share vapers’ stories and help the UK’s 7 million smokers make the switch to a better life amid attempts by anti-smoking activists to confuse people into thinking that vaping was as harmful to people’s health as smoking.
The UK Government is preparing to launch a public consultation on the country’s vaping rules, which are some of the best in the world, acknowledging that switching to vaping helps smokers quit, saving lives and improving the lives of everyone around those who switch.
“We Vape is committed to fighting to make sure the Government and health bodies continue to encourage vaping to help smokers quit,” said Oates.
“We know that 94% of vapers are former smokers and that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. Update research published in the Cochrane Library reaffirms what vapers are telling We Vape – electronic cigarettes can help more people quit smoking than nicotine gum or patches or doing nothing.” Public Health England has also recommended the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
“It’s important for vapers to come together in Stoptober with a unified voice against the anti- vaping brigade,” said Oates.
“We Vape can help vapers tell their stories with the Government and share real-life examples of how switching to quit has improved the lives of smokers and their families and friends. This Stoptober join We Vape and make sure the Government hears your story.”