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E-cigarette 'lure' fears might be unfounded | E-cigarette 'lure' fears might be unfounded |
(1 day later) | |
The concern electronic cigarettes are a gateway to smoking might be unfounded, the first official UK figures suggest. | The concern electronic cigarettes are a gateway to smoking might be unfounded, the first official UK figures suggest. |
Data from the Office for National Statistics indicate those who use e-cigarettes, are almost entirely current or former smokers. | Data from the Office for National Statistics indicate those who use e-cigarettes, are almost entirely current or former smokers. |
E-cigarettes were mainly used to help smokers quit and because users saw them as being less harmful than cigarettes, the ONS said. | E-cigarettes were mainly used to help smokers quit and because users saw them as being less harmful than cigarettes, the ONS said. |
And the proportion of adults who smoked cigarettes had fallen to 19%. | And the proportion of adults who smoked cigarettes had fallen to 19%. |
Most of the figures from the ONS are for the year 2013, so it is possible that the picture is still changing. | Most of the figures from the ONS are for the year 2013, so it is possible that the picture is still changing. |
The proportion of smokers had plummeted from 46% in 1974 to 19% in 2013, the ONS said. | The proportion of smokers had plummeted from 46% in 1974 to 19% in 2013, the ONS said. |
Not only had fewer people taken up smoking, but more smokers had quit. | Not only had fewer people taken up smoking, but more smokers had quit. |
And many smokers and former smokers were using e-cigarettes. | And many smokers and former smokers were using e-cigarettes. |
Nicotine | Nicotine |
E-cigarettes have been increasing in popularity since they were introduced in Europe in 2006. | E-cigarettes have been increasing in popularity since they were introduced in Europe in 2006. |
Some say they could normalise smoking or be a gateway to smoking by introducing non-smokers to nicotine, while others feel they are a useful way to help get people off tobacco. | Some say they could normalise smoking or be a gateway to smoking by introducing non-smokers to nicotine, while others feel they are a useful way to help get people off tobacco. |
The ONS said it had chosen to publish preliminary findings on e-cigarette use because there was a need for more information. | The ONS said it had chosen to publish preliminary findings on e-cigarette use because there was a need for more information. |
Data collected between January and March 2014 suggests e-cigarettes are used almost exclusively by smokers and former smokers. | Data collected between January and March 2014 suggests e-cigarettes are used almost exclusively by smokers and former smokers. |
About one in 10 current cigarette smokers surveyed and one in 20 of the former smokers said they were now using e-cigarettes. | About one in 10 current cigarette smokers surveyed and one in 20 of the former smokers said they were now using e-cigarettes. |
Over half of e-cigarette users surveyed said their main reason was to stop smoking, and about one in five said it was because they thought they were less harmful than cigarettes. | Over half of e-cigarette users surveyed said their main reason was to stop smoking, and about one in five said it was because they thought they were less harmful than cigarettes. |
Prof Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, said given the number of smokers now using e-cigarettes people needed to be assured of their quality and safety. | Prof Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, said given the number of smokers now using e-cigarettes people needed to be assured of their quality and safety. |
"Balanced and effective regulation of e-cigarettes will help manage the risks and maximise the potential for these products to replace smoking - greatly reducing smoking related disease that kills nearly 80,000 people in England every year." | "Balanced and effective regulation of e-cigarettes will help manage the risks and maximise the potential for these products to replace smoking - greatly reducing smoking related disease that kills nearly 80,000 people in England every year." |
At present they are not available on the NHS, unlike other smoking cessation aids such as nicotine patches. | At present they are not available on the NHS, unlike other smoking cessation aids such as nicotine patches. |
Dr Penny Woods, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: "These data should again alleviate the fears expressed by some over an e-cigarette gateway effect - people trying e-cigarettes before moving on to the much more harmful practice of smoking. However, this is something we'll need to keep a watchful eye on, as the situation may well change as e-cigarettes continue to become more commonplace." | Dr Penny Woods, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: "These data should again alleviate the fears expressed by some over an e-cigarette gateway effect - people trying e-cigarettes before moving on to the much more harmful practice of smoking. However, this is something we'll need to keep a watchful eye on, as the situation may well change as e-cigarettes continue to become more commonplace." |