The National Health Service (NHS) views e-cigarettes (vapes) as a potentially useful tool to help people stop smoking tobacco. Public Health England, an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care (now the UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities), has stated that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking.
NHS Provision of Free E-cigarettes
While the NHS supports the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, they are not universally provided for free across all services. The availability of free e-cigarette starter kits or support varies significantly by region and is typically managed by local Stop Smoking Services.
- Local Initiatives: Some local NHS Stop Smoking Services or local councils may offer free e-cigarette starter kits as part of their cessation programs. These are often targeted schemes.
- Pilot Programs: There have been and may continue to be pilot schemes in certain areas to assess the effectiveness of providing free vapes.
- Not a Standard Prescription: E-cigarettes are not currently licensed as medicines in the UK, so they cannot be prescribed by GPs in the same way as other stop smoking medications like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches or gum. However, NRT is often available on prescription.
How to Find Out About Local Support
To determine if free e-cigarettes are available in your specific area, you should:
- Contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Service directly. Details can usually be found via your local council’s website or by asking your GP.
- Speak to your GP or a local pharmacist who may be aware of local schemes.
Important Considerations:
NHS guidance and local offerings can change. The primary aim of using e-cigarettes in this context is as a complete substitute for smoking, with an eventual goal of quitting vaping as well, if possible. Support from Stop Smoking Services often includes behavioural support, which significantly increases the chances of quitting successfully.
