A recent survey conducted by UK-based Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) indicates that vaping has become the most popular aid for individuals who want to quit smoking. According to the August survey, non-tobacco vape products have played a large role over the past five years in helping smokers successfully quit their tobacco dependence.
The survey of adult vapers in the United Kingdom found that 5.6 million British adults currently vape. Of these, 53% are former smokers, 39% continue to smoke, and 8% have never smoked.
“The survey provides another important indication that vape products can be effective in helping smokers quit,” said Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association (VTA), a U.S. organization that represents the vaping industry.
In the U.S., the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have stated that vaping is less harmful than smoking, though the AHA has said more research is needed about the impacts of vaping.
Despite the growing use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation strategy, the research points out a rise in misconceptions about the relative harms of vaping compared to smoking.
In the survey, half of all smokers (50%) said they believe vaping is more or equally as harmful as smoking. Only one-third of smokers say they believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking. Another ASH survey conducted in April reported that 43% of young vape users believe vaping is less harmful than smoking.
According to Abboud, a larger effort should be made to inform U.S. smokers about vaping as an alternative. “The confusion around vaping as a potentially healthier alternative to smoking is likely preventing what could be an even larger move away from smoking,” he said.
The UK survey investigated how satisfying vapers found e-cigarettes compared to smoking. Approximately two-thirds (68%) of e-cigarette users who no longer smoke said vaping is satisfying or more satisfying than smoking.
“U.S. providers of vaping products understand that smokers and former smokers can benefit from responsible marketing and availability of their non-tobacco products,” Abboud said.
The VTA promotes greater awareness of vape products as smoking cessation tools, and helps companies comply with restrictions on marketing vape products to youth.