8 truths about the vape announced by the British Ministry of Health
The British Ministry of Health published 8 articles on vape on March 5, and it was reprinted on the official website of the British government.
Smoking is not without risks, but it is far less harmful than smoking. Our advice is still that it is best for smokers to switch to vape completely, but if you have never smoked, do not start e-cigarette.
The release of this blog coincides with PHE's latest independent evidence report, which explores some of the most common misconceptions surrounding vape and provides facts.
1.vape and the outbreak of lung disease in the United States
In August last year, vapers began arriving in emergency rooms across the United States that suffered severe lung injury. The cause of the outbreak is unclear, and 68 people died in the following months. You can read our recommendations here.
Partly based on the fact that the outbreak affected a very specific population and the extent to which the incidence of new cases peaked and declined, we wrote to The Lancet that explained that the likely culprit was "Bad batch" of illegal cannabis atomized products. However, in response to this outbreak, regulators around the world began to withdraw nicotine atomized products from the market while still buying cigarettes, which made smokers reluctant to change cigarettes.
Since then, US authorities have identified vitamin E acetate added to cannabis products as the "primary cause" of the outbreak. Vitamin E acetate is banned from nicotine-containing vapes regulated by the United Kingdom.
2. Respiratory and heart disease
A controversial study reported that smokers have recently been at the same risk of heart disease as smokers, because the journal did not consider that all smokers involved were current or former smokers and was recently withdrawn by the magazine.
A better understanding of the impact of electronic cigarettes on the heart is beginning to emerge. A randomized controlled trial was published in December, which measured the vascular effects of smokers turning to vaping and produced encouraging results. Those who have completely turned to vape have the greatest improvement in their vascular health, approaching a healthy "control." Larger studies and longer follow-up will provide greater confidence. The debate continues here and here.
3. Harm compared with smoking
In England, only one-third of adults know that smoking is far less harmful than smoking. However, in 2018, the National Institute of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) found that existing evidence indicates that vape is "much less harmful than conventional smoking."
The 2015 Independent Evidence Report of the Public Health Authority of England concluded: “Although atomization may not be 100% safe, most chemicals that cause smoking-related diseases do not exist, and the risks posed by the presence of chemicals are limited . "
The relative harm of vape needs further study. Last month, PHE commissioned the final report in the latest series of vape updates, the most ambitious report. A team of authors of PHE ’s previous reports and other international experts is embarking on an extensive system review, including security reviews, to allow us to conduct the most authoritative assessment in 2022.
4. The harm of nicotine
When there is evidence that nicotine is actually the least dangerous to health, four out of ten smokers and former smokers mistakenly believe that nicotine causes most smoking-related cancers. Although nicotine is the reason people are addicted to smoking, the thousands of other chemicals contained in cigarette smoke cause almost all harm.
5. Quit smoking
A major clinical trial funded by NIHR in the UK was published in February 2019. The study involved nearly 900 participants and found that in the local smoking cessation service, the standard vape was twice as effective in helping smokers to quit smoking as quitters chose nicotine combination drugs. Alternative Therapy (NRT).
Another UCL study found that vape helped another 50-70,000 smokers in England quit smoking within a year.
6. Harm to bystanders
There is clear evidence that exposure to second-hand smoke is harmful, which is why the United Kingdom has laws prohibiting smoking in closed public places and workplaces. These laws do not cover vape, and organizations are free to formulate their own vape policies.
The vape liquid usually consists of nicotine, propylene glycol and / or glycerin and flavoring agents. Unlike cigarettes, vapes do not emit sidestream vapors into the atmosphere, but only exhaled aerosols.
Our 2018 report found that no bystander's health risks of passive smoking were found, and our 2022 report will review the evidence again. People with asthma and other respiratory diseases may be sensitive to a variety of environmental irritants. PHE recommends that organizations take this into consideration and adjust policies when appropriate.
7. Smoking and youth smoking
Our latest report has no evidence to support concerns that vape is increasing youth smoking. Surveys in the UK indicate that young people are trying to use vapes, but vapes are rarely used frequently, and are almost entirely restricted to people who have already smoked. At the same time, the smoking rate of young people in the UK continues to decline.
A 2019 study addressed concerns that vape may “renormalize” smoking. PHE continues to monitor young people's vape and smoking trends. We recently commissioned researchers to study the role of flavoring agents in adolescent smoking and adult conversion.
8. vape regulations
The UK has comprehensive vape regulations. According to the 2016 Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, nicotine-containing vape products must comply with minimum quality and safety standards, as well as packaging and labeling requirements to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed choices.
Advertising is severely restricted, and manufacturers must notify the UK Medical and Health Products Regulatory Authority of all product details, which prohibits certain ingredients.