(Photo credit: Vaping360/Flickr Commons)
The NHS could save more than £500 million per year if half of England’s adult smokers switched to Reduced-Risk Products (RRPs), such as e-cigarettes (aka vapes) and heat-not-burn tobacco, a study published on August 7 claimed.
Smoking costs the NHS in England a whopping £2.5 billion a year. The government is determined to cut these expenditures. Smoking accounts for approximately 74,600 deaths a year in England. There were an estimated 506,100 smoking-related admissions to England’s hospitals between 2019 and 2020.
A 2021 review found that people who used e-cigarettes to quit smoking, as well as having expert face-to-face support, could be up to twice as likely to succeed as people who used other nicotine replacement products, such as patches or gum. Researchers at Brunel University London found that between 2019 and 2021, 13.6% of people aged 18 and over smoked.
The study reflected geographical differences, with the number of people with lung cancer in the Northeast & Yorkshire regions almost double the number in other English regions. The lowest rate of smokers is in the Southeast (12.2%), compared to 14.1% in the Midlands, 14.6% in the Northwest, and 15% in the Northeast & Yorkshire.
The study, titled ‘Does Switching to Reduced Risk Products Free Up Hospital Resources? A Reflection using English Regional Data’, found that if 50% of these smokers started vaping, hospital admissions would reduce by 13%.
This would translate into savings of £518 million. A conversion rate of just 10% saves the NHS £103 million a year. This was calculated by looking at data relating to smoking as a cause of death.
The study also examined ward costs per day, as well as the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
In the Northeast and Yorkshire alone, half of smokers switching to vaping could save £148 million.
“Cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema are the five main disease categories caused by smoking cigarettes. Such illnesses put significant burdens on the NHS, which we know is already under increasing pressure,” said research author Professor Francesco Moscone.
“Although the long-term effects of RRPs are still unknown, we know from previous research that alternatives to traditional cigarettes result in a 90% reduction in exposure to chemicals that are major contributors to health risks.”
For the study, published in the British Journal of Healthcare Management, Prof Moscone calculated that a traditional smoker transitioning to RRPs would reduce smoking-related diseases by 70%. This was because they would no longer be exposed to the harmful chemicals in traditional cigarettes.
In 2019, the Government outlined its ambition to make England ‘smoke-free’ by 2030. Last year, the government reported that without further action, England would miss the smoke-free target by at least seven years, and those in the poorest areas of society would not meet the target until 2044.
It also launched a ‘swap to stop’ campaign in April, offering one million smokers vapes to encourage them to quit cigarettes. E-cigarettes cost an average of £25 in the UK, with prices ranging from £14.99 to £34.99 online and in most high street retailers. Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) estimates that 9.1% (4.7 million) of adults in Britain currently vape.
Of those, 2.7 million are former smokers, 1.7 million are current smokers, and 320,000 have never smoked. However, a poll of 12,271 adults, carried out by YouGov for the charity found that 43% of people think vaping is as dangerous or more dangerous than smoking.
It comes amid concern about young people and children using e-cigarettes, with calls mounting for tighter regulations on their marketing and packaging. The Department for Health and Social Care said while vaping is a “preferable alternative to smoking for adults”, they have concerns “about the rise in youth vaping”.
What are e-cigarettes and how do they work?
An e-cigarette is a device that allows you to inhale nicotine in vapour rather than smoke. They work by heating a liquid (called e-liquid) that typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and flavourings. Using an e-cigarette is known as vaping.
Will vaping help me stop smoking?
Many thousands of people in the UK have already stopped smoking with the help of an e-cigarette. There’s evidence that they can be effective. Using an e-cigarette can help manage nicotine cravings. To get the most out of it, make sure you’re using it as much as you need to and with the right nicotine strength in your e-liquid. You will not get the full benefit of vaping unless you stop smoking cigarettes completely. Getting expert help from your local Stop Smoking Service gives you the highest chance of quitting smoking for good. Find your local Stop Smoking Service.
How do I choose the right e-cigarette for me?
There are different types of e-cigarettes, including vape pens, vape bars, pod devices, mods, and cigar-likes. They can be rechargeable or disposable. It’s also important to choose the right nicotine strength for your e-liquid, which depends on how much you smoke. You can get advice on models and e-liquids from a specialist vape shop. Find out more about e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and vaping to quit smoking on the Better Health website.
How safe are e-cigarettes?
In the UK, e-cigarettes are tightly regulated for safety and quality. Vaping is not completely risk-free, but it poses a small fraction of the risk of smoking cigarettes’. The long-term risks of vaping are not yet clear. E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. The liquid and vapour contain some potentially harmful chemicals also found in cigarette smoke, but at a much lower level.
What about nicotine risks?
While nicotine is the addictive component in cigarettes, thousands of other compounds in tobacco smoke, many of which are poisonous, cause much of the harm. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been used to assist individuals to quit smoking for many years and is a safe treatment.
Are e-cigarettes safe during pregnancy?
Little research has been conducted into the safety of e-cigarettes and e-liquids in pregnancy, so pregnant women are advised to use licenced NRT products such as patches and gum to help them quit smoking. However, if pregnant women find using an e-cigarette helpful for quitting and staying smoke-free, it’s much safer for the baby than continuing to smoke.
Do e-cigarettes pose a fire risk?
There have been reports of e-cigarettes exploding or catching fire. The correct charger should be used, as with other rechargeable electrical equipment, and the gadget should not be left charging unattended or overnight.
Is the vapour from e-cigarettes dangerous to others?
So far, there is no evidence that vaping causes harm to those around you. In contrast with passive smoking (second-hand smoke) from regular cigarettes, which is known to be extremely hazardous to one’s health.
Can I get an e-cigarette from my GP?
E-cigarettes are not yet available on prescription through the NHS; therefore, you cannot obtain one from your GP. They are available from specialised vape shops, pharmacies, and other stores, as well as online.
Reporting e-cigarette safety concerns
If you believe you have had a health-related negative effect from using an e-cigarette or would like to report a product fault, please use the Yellow Card Scheme website, the UK’s system for collecting information on suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to medicines.
Nadine Osman
