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Why vaping is better for you than smoking

Many people, when considering giving up smoking, would rather aim to be completely nicotine-free. But the truth is that quitting smoking without finding an alternative is very difficult indeed, and while most people start with the very best intentions it’s not long before they find themselves back on the cigarettes again.

For this reason, vaping is the very best alternative there is to kick the habit for good, and people have a far better success rate when they make the switch.

Public Health England (PHE) has now written seven reports on vaping in England, and their latest one concluded that vaping is far safer than smoking for many reasons. Here are some top stats!

  1. Vapes are the most popular aid to stop smoking (27.2%).
  2. In 2017, more than approximately 50,000 people in England managed to stop smoking with the aid of an e-cigarette.

  3. In 2019 and 2020, quit success rates were between 59.7% and 64% using a vape.

  4. Around 6% of adults regularly use vapes, which adds up to around 2.7 million adult vapers in England. This has had a positive effect on driving down numbers of people still smoking, and the pattern is expected to continue.

The report is a long one, but it takes a very in-depth look at vaping and it’s worth reading if you’re not completely convinced yet. PHE is unequivocal in their advice that smokers are far better off switching to vaping than continuing to smoke tobacco.

The government’s goal is to be smoke-free by 2030, and they have been considering ways in which to achieve this goal. Vaping plays a really important part in this.

When weighing up the pros and cons of quitting smoking, it’s important to bear in mind the very alarming statistic that smoking killed almost 75,000 people in England alone in 2019, and it continues to be the leading preventable cause of premature death. While people may be concerned that vaping still carries some risk, there is no doubt that it is a safer choice than smoking.

Those with the best possible chance of success in giving up smoking have done two things: firstly, they have switched to a vape, and secondly, they have sought support from a local stop smoking service.

If you’re thinking of making the switch to vaping rather than smoking tobacco, visit your local vape store. They will be able to show you the different types of e-cigarettes and help you choose one that suits your needs. They’ll advise you on flavours and nicotine strengths, and they’ll always be there to help support you through your quitting journey. Every high street has one, so go and support them.

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Health & Wealth

How Much Does Smoking Cost Britain?

How much does smoking cost Britain? We all know smoking is bad for your personal finances. If you’re smoking 20 a day, you’re spending nearly £5,000 a year. That’s enough for a fancy all-inclusive holiday or to buy takeaway pizza for tea every single night. However, did you know that smoking affects everyone’s finances, even people that don’t smoke? Yep – sad but true. Smoking is that much of an expensive habit. It costs the NHS lots of money, means people have to take time off work, and causes damage to infrastructure and buildings. ‘Hang on’… you might be saying. ‘Don’t the taxes on smoking help fund things in the country?’ Unfortunately, this is a common misconception, often mumbled by your Uncle Dave in the pub after half a bottle of Teacher’s and a 20 pack of Silk Cut. It’s true that tobacco duty goes back to The Government, which uses it to fund the NHS and other public health initiatives. With the increase in duty announced in the 2023 budget, tobacco duty currently accounts for about £4.90 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, plus 16.5% of the retail price. So while The Treasury does get just over £10 billion a year from tobacco duty, it’s still running at a loss when you consider the overall impact of smoking on the economy. Let’s do a deep dive into some of the ways smoking can affect the country’s coffers. Smoking and the NHS Smoking and productivity in the workplace Smoking and environmental cleanup Smoking and fires So can vaping turn things around? In summary: Is smoking the reason why we can’t have nice things? Smoking and the NHS This is the biggie – smoking costs the NHS in England £2.6 billion a year. And that’s just one part of the country – it costs the Scottish NHS £780 million a year, the Welsh NHS £302 million a year, and hospitals in Northern Ireland £164 million a year. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, causing a myriad of diseases, from COPD and stroke to heart disease and cancer. This puts a lot of pressure on the NHS in helping to cure and alleviate these diseases. Not only this, but smoking adversely affects the healing process. This means smokers are more likely to experience complications after surgery and require longer hospital stays. Smoking also indirectly causes other health problems. For example, smoking affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to brittle bones and conditions like osteoporosis. Smokers are twice as likely to have problems conceiving than non-smokers, and women are more likely to experience menopause sooner. These issues cost the NHS money to manage, not just through surgery but medication and therapy. Second-hand smoke is also a major issue – when people smoke, they’re harming not just themselves but their family and friends. It’s estimated that people exposed to second-hand smoke have a 30% increased chance of developing lung cancer and a 35% increased risk of heart disease. It’s vital to throw social care in the mix here too. It’s estimated that smokers need help ten years earlier than non-smokers. This puts the strain on local authorities and adult social care services to the tune of £1.2 billion a year. Smoking and productivity in the workplace Most people just think of the NHS when it comes to how much smoking costs Britain. However, there are other things to consider as well. Smokers are more likely to be absent and take sick days at work, as well as cost more in pensions and benefits. Studies have shown that it costs companies £4,600 more to hire a smoker than a non-smoker a year. Not only this, but smokers are more likely to experience irritability and impatience at work, potentially affecting performance and output. Nobody wants to go into a Zoom meeting with someone going through nicotine withdrawal! Let’s talk about smoke breaks at work. It’s estimated that smoke breaks throughout the day cost businesses £8.4 billion a year in lost time. And if your non-smoking staff demand to take breaks at the same time in order to ensure equality, that figure only goes up! On a more depressing tangent, smokers are more likely to die or have to take long-term sickness when they’re still of working age, meaning a further blow to the economy. Smoking and environmental cleanup Have you played ‘avoid the soggy cigarette tabs’ on the commute to work or while taking the kids to school? If the answer is yes, you’ll know all about the environmental issues that smoking can cause. It’s estimated that cleaning and disposing of cigarette butts costs local councils about £40 million a year. And while councils do come down hard on those that they catch littering, most people are unfortunately getting away with it. Cigarette butts contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals that can pollute the earth and waterways, causing damage to wildlife and destroying our fragile ecosystems. So while we have an idea of how much it costs to clean up cigarettes, we don’t completely know the cost in terms of long-term harm to the environment. There are also more minor costs involved in removing smoke from homes, vehicles, and buildings too. Nobody wants to smell like they live or work inside an ashtray, after all! Smoking and fires We’ve all seen the ads on the telly where someone lights a cigarette in bed, and boom – the whole house is on fire before you know it. Unfortunately, smoking remains the top cause of fatal fires, with about 25% of fire-related deaths caused by cigarettes. While we don’t have specific statistics for how much fire damage costs fire and rescue services across the UK, callouts aren’t cheap. Plus, as fires caused by smoking are preventable, it means that fire and rescue services may not be able to attend other emergency situations, compounding the damage even further. When you factor in insurance costs, loss of livelihood, and property damage, it’s easy

Health & Wealth

Are you Eligible for a Free Vaping Starter Kit?

Are you eligible for a free vaping starter kit? What do you have a one in five chance of being? For example, you have a one in five chance of having hazel eyes. If you’re over the age of 65, there’s a one in five chance you don’t know how to swim. There’s also a one in five chance that you’ll think that Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster will be discovered by science. Right, hands up if you believe that one… There’s also a one in five chance you might be eligible for a free vaping kit in the near future. Earlier this month, the UK Government announced that it was providing funding so one million smokers could stub out their cigarettes for good and give vaping a go. The scheme, called ‘swap to stop’, has been described as the first of its kind in the world. So if it works, there’s the possibility that other countries could follow suit. The swap to stop scheme is estimated to cost £45 million over the course of two years. Let’s be honest; we all love a freebie. With this in mind, you’re probably wondering if you’re eligible for some free vaping goodies and if so, when you can get your hands on them. Keep reading because this article will explain everything you need to know! Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? Will I get a vaping starter kit? What will be in the vaping starter kit? Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? When will I be able to see if I’m eligible? Has anything else been announced as part of the scheme? But I can’t wait! I want a vaping starter kit now! In summary: will you be getting a free vaping kit? Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? Excellent question. The UK Government is giving out vaping starter kits because it wants the country to become smoke-free by 2030. (Okay, 5% of the population isn’t technically ‘smoke-free’, but it’s better than nothing, right?) At this moment in time, The Government will miss this target unless it takes drastic measures. The primary focus of the smoke-free initiative is young people and people living in deprived areas. To combat young people taking up smoking, The Government has raised the legal smoking age from 16 to 18, and there are talks of increasing it even further. People in deprived areas are four times more likely to smoke than those in more affluent areas. This might sound counterproductive as smoking costs money, but people in low-income households are more likely to smoke as a coping mechanism and to relieve stress. Plus, it’s a vicious cycle. People smoke because they have financial pressures, further exacerbated by spending money on cigarettes. But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? The UK Government wants people to quit smoking for good. Getting people to stop smoking cold turkey may sound impressive, but if they’re back on the cigarettes two weeks later, it’s all been a waste of time and money. Vaping is the most effective smoking cessation tool on the market, even more so than gum or patches. Studies have shown that people who vape are more likely to eventually quit smoking. The great thing about vaping is that you can gradually cut down on nicotine without inhaling any disgusting chemical substances in cigarettes like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and tar. Plus, as vaping gives you something to do with your hands and mouth, it feels like a proper alternative to smoking. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should give vaping a go! Will I get a vaping starter kit? Honest answer… we’re not sure yet! The Government will encourage councils across the UK to apply for funding. The councils will then determine which residents are eligible for a vaping starter kit. We strongly believe that local authorities will prioritise low-income households and people living in deprived areas. This has been done before with great success. For example, in 2022, Norfolk County Council gave vaping vouchers to residents in certain areas, with 15% of people quitting smoking for good. However, some local councils may use different criteria, for example, targeting young smokers or people with chronic health conditions. Others might even have a ‘first come, first served’ approach. What will be in the vaping starter kit? Again, the UK Government hasn’t gone into the nitty gritty. It’s highly probable that local councils will decide what to include in the kits. It’s likely that the kit will contain a piece of hardware that’s easy to use and maintain, like a vape pod or vape pen, as well as a couple of e-liquids. Essentially everything that a smoker needs to get started with vaping straight away. Some councils may even give customers vouchers for a local vaping store, meaning they can buy what they want – this is what they did in Norwich. Customers get the freedom of choice, and the nearby vape shops get a nice bit of well-deserved promotion – everyone’s a winner! One thing that is highly likely not to be included in a vaping starter kit? A disposable vape. These single-use vapes have got a lot of flak recently for not just being bad for the environment, but encouraging kids to try vaping. So if you’re hoping for a neon pink Gnome Bar or two in your starter kit, you’re probably not going to get one. And in our honest opinion, that’s a good thing. Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? Not a starter kit as such, but as part of the Government initiative, pregnant women will be offered up to £400 to stop smoking. Details on this aren’t entirely clear just yet, but it looks like all pregnant women who smoke, regardless of where they live, will be offered vouchers as well as support to quit. It’s estimated that about

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