E-cigarettes are not only a less harmful alternative to the traditional cigarette, but also a way to quit smoking completely over time.
In Great Britain, scientists have taken the subject seriously and want to see how effective the replacement of ordinary cigarettes with e-cigarettes can be in breaking addiction. In the UK, e-cigarettes are officially considered less harmful, which is also justified. Their operation is not based on the burning of tobacco; this process does not take place in them at all. If there is no combustion, there is also no smoke containing the most harmful substances.
As part of an experiment planned in Great Britain, smoking patients, regardless of the reason for their admission to the hospital emergency department, will receive a device and a week of “vaping” supply of e-cigarette fluid. Doctors are to provide one group of patients with medical advice and refer them to local support centers for fighting tobacco addiction, while others – hand out leaflets with information about these centers. Then both groups will be re-examined after a month, a quarter and a half-year. Hospitals in Norfolk, London, Leicester and Edinburgh will take part in the experiment. Prof. Caitlin Notley, involved in the research at the University of East Anglia, points to an element of surprise. “Smoking patients of emergency departments are presented with the idea of quitting smoking with e-cigarettes, while most of them probably did not take it into account at all” – admits prof. Notley.
Contrary to a traditional cigarette, the electronic cigarette does not burn, so the most harmful substances for the body are not emitted. Liquids used in e-cigarettes are thoroughly tested before they are available for sale. Regardless of whether we use an e-cigarette in a closed system (with pre-filled cartridges, eg Vuse epen) or in an open system (choosing a liquid ready for use) – we reach for tested solutions.
Thus, the alternative in the form of an e-cigarette, although it does not eliminate the risk to the health of smokers and their environment, it allows to reduce it to some extent and also increases the chance of quitting the addiction. As you know, doing it overnight is not an easy task, so a longer path, with an intermediate stage, may turn out to be a very effective approach. Perhaps this will soon be confirmed by research among British smokers.