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E-cigarette use rare in non-smokers, NHS survey shows E-cigarette use rare in non-smokers, NHS survey shows
(5 days later)
Just 3% of adults are using e-cigarettes but almost all are current smokers or those who had given up, according to a new NHS survey of people’s health and lifestyles.Just 3% of adults are using e-cigarettes but almost all are current smokers or those who had given up, according to a new NHS survey of people’s health and lifestyles.
The disclosure further allays fears voiced by some doctors and health campaigners that “vaping” could attract non-smokers who then get hooked on traditional cigarettes containing nicotine.The disclosure further allays fears voiced by some doctors and health campaigners that “vaping” could attract non-smokers who then get hooked on traditional cigarettes containing nicotine.
The Health Survey for England 2013 found that 3% of its 8,800 participants aged 16 and over were using the devices, which have become popular in recent years. Some 29% of smokers and 6% of those who had quit said that they had used an e-cigarette, whereas just 1% of people who had never smoked had done so. Few children have tried them, it found.The Health Survey for England 2013 found that 3% of its 8,800 participants aged 16 and over were using the devices, which have become popular in recent years. Some 29% of smokers and 6% of those who had quit said that they had used an e-cigarette, whereas just 1% of people who had never smoked had done so. Few children have tried them, it found.
“While it is clearly important to continue to monitor smoking rates and the use of electronic cigarettes in adults and children, so far there is no evidence that use of electronic cigarettes is proving to be a gateway into smoking”, said Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, the anti-smoking group.“While it is clearly important to continue to monitor smoking rates and the use of electronic cigarettes in adults and children, so far there is no evidence that use of electronic cigarettes is proving to be a gateway into smoking”, said Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, the anti-smoking group.
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation (BLF), said: “Although there is no indication that e-cigarettes are anywhere near as harmful as smoking, we wouldn’t recommend them for children and non-smokers, at least until more research has been conducted into the long-term health impact of sustained use”.Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation (BLF), said: “Although there is no indication that e-cigarettes are anywhere near as harmful as smoking, we wouldn’t recommend them for children and non-smokers, at least until more research has been conducted into the long-term health impact of sustained use”.
Health experts are divided over whether vaping is an effective way of reducing smoking-related health harms or will lead to more people lighting up.Health experts are divided over whether vaping is an effective way of reducing smoking-related health harms or will lead to more people lighting up.
The HSE, an annual snapshot of health trends based on participants’ self-reported behaviour, also confirmed that fewer women than ever – 17% – are smoking. That is down from 19% in 2012 and 24% in 2003. However, the trend is not reflected among men, who display what Woods called “stubbornly stable” smoking rates. Their 24% prevalence has not fallen for several years. Some 37% of men aged 25 to 34 smoke – the highest proportion of any age group.The HSE, an annual snapshot of health trends based on participants’ self-reported behaviour, also confirmed that fewer women than ever – 17% – are smoking. That is down from 19% in 2012 and 24% in 2003. However, the trend is not reflected among men, who display what Woods called “stubbornly stable” smoking rates. Their 24% prevalence has not fallen for several years. Some 37% of men aged 25 to 34 smoke – the highest proportion of any age group.
The survey also found that almost half the population take prescription drugs to improve their health.The survey also found that almost half the population take prescription drugs to improve their health.
Exactly half (50%) of women and 43% of men told the researchers that they had taken at least one prescribed medicine in the last week. However, 22% of men and 24% of women said they had taken three different medications in the last week. Older people and those with a higher Body mass Index were more likely to do so.Exactly half (50%) of women and 43% of men told the researchers that they had taken at least one prescribed medicine in the last week. However, 22% of men and 24% of women said they had taken three different medications in the last week. Older people and those with a higher Body mass Index were more likely to do so.
The average person in England received an average of 18.7 prescriptions in 2013. The most commonly-prescribed drugs were statins, to lower cholesterol, pain medication and anti-depressants.The average person in England received an average of 18.7 prescriptions in 2013. The most commonly-prescribed drugs were statins, to lower cholesterol, pain medication and anti-depressants.
Men are more likely to take statins, reflecting their higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Half of men over 65 do so. However, twice as many women (11%) as men (5.5%) use anti-depressants. Middle-aged women are the heaviest users; 16% of 45 to 64-year-olds do so.Men are more likely to take statins, reflecting their higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Half of men over 65 do so. However, twice as many women (11%) as men (5.5%) use anti-depressants. Middle-aged women are the heaviest users; 16% of 45 to 64-year-olds do so.
The HSE confirmed that fewer than half the over-65s who need help with basic daily chores such as washing or getting up or down stairs, did not receive it. Andrew Kaye, head of policy and campaigns at the charity Independent Age, said “the sad reality” was that many older people who struggle with everyday activities were left to cope without any care or support. “We know that 70,000 older people say they struggle with three or more activities of daily living and worryingly don’t receive any care.” The HSE confirmed that more than half the over-65s who need help with basic daily chores such as washing or getting up or down stairs, did not receive it. Andrew Kaye, head of policy and campaigns at the charity Independent Age, said “the sad reality” was that many older people who struggle with everyday activities were left to cope without any care or support. “We know that 70,000 older people say they struggle with three or more activities of daily living and worryingly don’t receive any care.”
• This article was amended on 15 December 2014. An earlier version referred to “fewer than half” where “more than half” was meant.