E-cigarette and vapouriser usage (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)
Unmet needs
- The Health Equity Audit (2018) has highlighted issues with stop smoking service access among 18 - 24 year-olds, while they account for 13% of the borough's smoking population just 8.6% have attempted to quit smoking. People in this cohort are also much less likely to quit, with just 5% of quitters being aged 18 - 24. It is possible that younger smokers would be more likely to attempt a quit using e-cigarettes or vapourisers, however the scope of the HEA did not provide the opportunity to confirm this.
- Access is equitable for people from deprived communities.
- Lower take up from people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
- Men are more likely to quit (higher quit rate) but less likely to access services.
- Vaping should be considered a harm reduction technique in current smokers.
- Although current stop smoking services support e cigarette use, this could be strengthened by increasing awareness and understanding of the evidence facilitated through a revised training offer. Considering the use of e-learning modules through NCSCT.
- There isn't any strong evidence to suggest that vaping is harmful.
- Vaping should be considered a harm reduction technique in current smokers.
