E-CIGARETTES could potentially save millions of lives, according to a new report from the Royal College of Physicians.
The leading medical body says that doctors should encourage smokers to take up vaping in order to quit tobacco. Its 200-page report also says that fears that e-cigarettes are a gateway to smoking are unfounded.
This follows a report last year from Public Health England, which concluded e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful to health than normal cigarettes.
Currently, UK doctors can prescribe e-cigarettes to smokers on the NHS, however only after they have been licensed as a ‘quit smoking aid’. That requires strict regulation and is a costly exercise for the manufacturer, which is why only few companies go down this route.
Paul Hunt, UK managing director of e-cigarette brand V2 Cigs, said: “This is yet another piece of evidence from a well-respected academic source that tells us just how much potential e-cigarettes have to improve, and even save, millions of lives in the UK.
“Vaping is a very young phenomenon and whilst it has been steadily growing in popularity from day one, it has also been surrounded by misunderstandings and controversy over past weeks and months. This 200-page report offers scientific research to underline the many benefits of vaping while not ignoring the potential risks.”
The report was published just weeks ahead of new EU laws coming into force that will set safety and quality standards for all e-cigarettes and refills.
Under the European Tobacco Products Directive, commonly referred to as TPD, manufacturers will be required to put health warnings on their products and will not be able to produce e-cigarette or vaping packs featuring or containing promotional offers.
Nikhil Nathwani, managing director of e-cigarette company Vivid, said: “The industry will be transformed as a result of TPD, there is no doubt about that.
“Many of the changes are to be welcomed, particularly in driving greater consumer confidence in the category and ensuring universal product quality. Companies will need to adapt and learn to deal with the new environment.”
