E-cigarette and vapouriser usage (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)
Introduction
- Public Health England has recently published its fourth update on the evidence that underpins policy and regulation of electronic cigarettes and other novel nicotine delivery systems. Electronic cigarettes in the UK have been regulated by the EU Tobacco Products Directive from 20 May 2016. To date over 32,000 e-cigarette and nicotine containing e-liquid products have been registered.
- South Tyneside has seen a reduction in its adult smoking prevalence by just over 11% since tobacco legislation was introduced in 2007, equating to around 20,000 fewer smokers. This reduction in prevalence has been achieved through implementing simple but highly cost effective population measures to encourage cessation. These include progressive rises in cigarette price, sustained health promotion campaigns, standardised cigarette packaging, and legislation to make all public and work places smoke-free.
- E-cigarettes could be contributing to at least 20,000 successful new quits across the UK per year and therefore the review currently underway to look at the future offer of stop smoking support in South Tyneside will give due consideration to the role of e-cigarettes to engage smokers to quit[1].
