Vaping has become more common than smoking in the UK, with 5.4 million adults now using e-cigarettes daily or occasionally, compared with 4.9 million who smoke, according to the Office for National Statistics. However, many vapers are finding it harder to quit than expected, and some are even considering returning to cigarettes.
Public health experts stress that vaping is far less harmful than smoking due to the absence of combustion, which produces toxic chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide. Martin Dockrell, former tobacco evidence lead at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, said: 'We can be absolutely confident that vaping is far less harmful than smoking.' Yet confusion persists, with 63% of young people believing vaping is as harmful as or more harmful than smoking, according to Action on Smoking and Health.
Despite its relative safety, vaping is not harmless. Long-term effects remain unknown, and the ease of use – vaping can be done indoors and discreetly – may increase addiction. Dr Jaimee Heffner of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center noted that both vaping and smoking are learned behaviours to avoid discomfort, involving physical and psychological dependence on nicotine.
Evidence on quitting vaping is emerging. A Cochrane Review by Jamie Hartmann-Boyce found that text-message support may help teenagers and young adults, and medications like varenicline show promise. Experts recommend combining nicotine replacement therapy (e.g., patches or gum) with strategies to break habitual routines.
