The NHS acknowledges that while e-cigarettes are not completely risk-free, they are significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes. The main reason is that vaping does not involve burning tobacco, which produces the vast majority of harmful chemicals responsible for smoking-related diseases like cancer, heart disease, and lung damage.
Key Points from NHS Guidance
Relative Harm: Public Health England (PHE) estimates e-cigarettes are at least 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco.
Primary Use: The NHS strongly promotes e-cigarettes as one of the most effective tools for stopping smoking, particularly when combined with expert support from local stop smoking services.
Nicotine: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, but nicotine itself is not the primary cause of smoking-related cancers and diseases. The thousands of other chemicals in tobacco smoke are the major culprits.
Health Considerations & Risks
- Short-term Effects: Common short-term effects can include throat and mouth irritation, dry cough, dizziness, and nausea. These usually lessen with continued use.
- Long-term Risks: The long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown as they are relatively new products. Ongoing research is crucial.
- Respiratory Issues: While likely far less damaging than smoking, inhaling substances other than clean air always carries some potential risk to the lungs.
- Addiction: Nicotine is addictive. Non-smokers, particularly young people, are advised not to start vaping.
NHS Recommendations
- E-cigarettes are recommended as a stop-smoking aid for adult smokers.
- Vaping is not recommended for non-smokers, people under 18, or pregnant women.
- Anyone considering vaping to quit smoking should seek advice from NHS Stop Smoking Services for the best chance of success using regulated products.
- Smokers are strongly encouraged to switch completely to vaping if unable to quit nicotine altogether.
- Dual use (smoking and vaping) is not advised as it maintains significant health risks from smoking.
In conclusion, the NHS position is clear: for adult smokers, switching completely to e-cigarettes is substantially less harmful than continuing to smoke. While not risk-free and not recommended for non-smokers, they are a valuable harm reduction and smoking cessation tool supported by the health service.
