Smokers Urged to Swap Cigarettes for Vapes in World-First Scheme
The UK government has announced a new scheme to encourage smokers to switch to vaping. The scheme, which is the first of its kind in the world, will provide one million smokers with a free vape starter kit and behavioural support to help them quit smoking. In addition to free vapes, the government are also planning on talks, with regards to introducing mandatory inserts with positive messages. That will be included within cigarette packets.
The government hopes that the scheme will help to reduce smoking rates in England. Which currently stand at 13%. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in England, and it is estimated that it costs the NHS over £10 billion a year.
Funding
The scheme will be funded by a £20 million investment from the government. It will be delivered by local authorities. Who will be able to choose how they best reach smokers in their area.
The government will work with the vaping industry to ensure that the scheme is delivered in a way that is safe and effective. It has also said that it will monitor the scheme closely to see how effective it is in reducing smoking rates.
Expert views
The announcement of the scheme has been welcomed by health experts. Dr. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a senior lecturer in public health at University College London, said that the scheme was “a positive step” and that it could “help to save lives.”
However, some experts have raised concerns about the safety of vaping. Dr. Nick Sheron, a professor of respiratory medicine at Imperial College London, said that there was still “a lot we don’t know” about the long-term effects of vaping. Despite these concerns, the government is moving ahead with the scheme and giving out some free vapes.
Conclusion
Overall, the announcement of the scheme is a positive step. It is clear that the government is committed to reducing smoking rates in England, and this scheme is a significant part of that effort. It is important to note that vaping is not risk-free. However, it is a much safer alternative to smoking. If you are a smoker, I encourage you to consider switching to vaping. It could save your life.
In addition to the government’s scheme, there are a number of other things that smokers can do to quit. These include:
- Talking to your doctor or a smoking cessation specialist
- Joining a smoking cessation group
- Using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- Using hypnotherapy or acupuncture
If you are struggling to quit smoking, please don’t give up. There are many resources available to help you. With the right support, you can quit smoking and improve your health.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/smokers-urged-to-swap-cigarettes-for-vapes-in-world-first-scheme
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