World Lung Cancer Day falls on 1st August – an appropriate day to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking, as well as the help and support that is available for those who wish to give up for good. One increasingly popular aid in stopping smoking is the e-cigarette or vapouriser. But as vaping is still a relatively new approach to smoking cessation, many people understandably have a lot of questions about it. So, the health experts at YourGP are here to address some of your most common concerns…

How harmful is smoking?

Smoking can cause a range of serious health problems including cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and diabetes. Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK, killing around 76,000 people every year.

One person’s decision to smoke can also have serious health consequences for those around them. Passive smoking increases an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer by around one quarter, for example, and the consequences of smoking during pregnancy include miscarriage, premature birth and still birth.

What are the benefits of stopping smoking?

There are a huge number of benefits to stopping smoking including:

• Improved circulation
• Improved lung function and a reduction in coughing, wheezing and breathing problems
• Decreased risk of cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke
• Increased energy levels
• Improved mental health
• Better sense of taste and smell
• Brighter, healthier looking skin
• Monetary savings of around £38 per week, or £2,000 per year on average

What are the most common smoking cessation aids?

Everyone is different, so it may take a little trial and error to find the right smoking cessation aid for you.

There are a wide range of methods available, from prescription medicine and nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, sprays, gum and lozenges, to hypnotherapy.

Switching from smoking to vaping is a method which is growing in popularity, and this year the UK government put their full support behind this tactic with the launch of their new ‘Swap to Stop’ scheme. This initiative will see almost 1 in 5 of all smokers in England offered a vape starter kit and behavioural support to help them stop smoking. It’s all part of a series of new measures to help the government meet its ambition of being smokefree by 2030, whereby they want to reduce smoking rates to 5% or less.

So how safe is vaping?

Research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking. Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins than cigarette smoking, and vapes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide which are two of the most harmful substances in cigarette tobacco smoke.

E-cigarettes have also proven to be an effective tool for helping smokers quit the habit. In fact, according to UK government research into smoking cessation services in 2020 to 2021, quit attempts involving a vaping product were associated with the highest success rates (64.9% compared with 58.6% for attempts not involving a vaping product).

However, it is important to remember that e-cigarettes are not risk-free. E-cigarettes have only been on sale in the UK since 2007 so we do not yet know the long-term effects of vaping.

It is therefore essential that e-cigarettes should only be used as a smoking cessation tool and those who have never smoked should not be encouraged to use them.

Thinking about stopping smoking?

Book an appointment at YourGP and our medical professionals will help you find a smoking cessation method that’s right for you. Stopping smoking isn’t easy, but we’re here to provide advice, help and support right when you need it.

Use our convenient online booking form, call 0131 225 5656 or email our reception team at reception@your.gp to book an appointment at a time that suits you. Stopping smoking is a huge step forward in your journey to becoming a healthier you.