Smokers attending accident and emergency departments at hospitals throughout the UK are to be given free e-cigarettes in a trial aimed towards helping people quit smoking.
Hospitals in Norfolk, London, Leicester and Edinburgh have already confirmed they will participate in the trail set to start in Autumn 2021.
A random selection of patients who are highlighted as smokers are to be given a vape kit alongside a week’s supply of e-liquids with both medical advice and a referral to their local stop smoking service.
The trail will see smokers attending A&E to be split into two groups, one receiving a starter kit and e-liquid with the other being given a leaflet about their local stop smoking service. Both groups will be mentored for a six-month period with them being asked at multiple points throughout the period if they are smoking.
E-cigarettes are currently not available on the NHS despite vaping being highlighted as 95% safer than smoking by Public Health England (PHE) and the Royal College of Physicians.
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the largest industry body representing the sector, has heralded the decision by the NHS to provide e-cigarettes to smokers attending A&E departments as a “landmark moment”. Director General of the UKVIA also spoke about the importance of this move.
“For the first time, following years of research and campaigning, we are finally at the point where the NHS looks to be fully embracing vaping and acknowledging its important role as the number one quit method”.
Vaping Better Than Nicotine Replacement Therapy
With recent new evidence from Public Health England (PHE) suggesting that vaping is better than Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
“Within England last year, nicotine vaping products were highlighted as the most popular aid in helping smokers quit”
Within recent reports, John Newton at Public Health England has highlighted the benefits of vaping when compared to smoking highlighting false information preventing smokers quit.
“The best thing that a smoker can do is to stop smoking completely and the evidence shows that vaping is one of the most effective quit aid available, helping around 50,000 smokers quit a year. Thousands more could have quit except for unfounded safety fears about e-cigarettes.”
With 27.2% of smokers using a vaping product compared to the 18.2% who utilised nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products (such as nicotine patches) with just 4.4% using prescribed medicine varenicline.
“It is estimated that in 2017, more than 50,000 smokers stopped smoking with the aid of a vaping product who would otherwise have carried on smoking.”
Data provided by systematic reviews since Public Health England’s 2018 report highlights that vaping products were significantly more effective in helping people quit smoking as opposed to nicotine replacement therapy.
Smokefree at Royal Flush Vape
Here at Royal Flush Vape we’re excited to hear of this movement. This is a significant moment in time with efforts of harm reduction and providing safer alternatives for those looking for a much safer alternative.
We continue to work alongside the UKVIA and other leading industry bodies to ensure that we strive forward in providing an excellent service to those looking to quit smoking and move to a healthier lifestyle with vaping.
If you or somebody you know are looking to quit smoking, Royal Flush Vape offer a wide range of services, dedicated to helping smokers quit. With a varied collection of starter kits available such as the PockeX by Aspire, Royal Flush Vape are dedicated to helping people move to a healthier lifestyle.
If you or anybody you know are struggling to quit smoking and need any advice, be sure to contact us and a member of our team will be more than happy to help and point you in the right direction on your smoke free journey.
How do you feel about this movement by the NHS? Have you recently quit smoking or moved to vaping sometime ago? We’d love to hear your story, let us know in the comments below!
But for now, as always; Stay safe and speak to you soon,
The Royal Flush Team
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