Public Health England’s (PHE) seventh independent report on vaping in England, carried out by researchers at the renowned King’s College London, found that vaping is the most commonly used means to quit smoking. 

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’s Alliance, commented on the report:

“Today’s report from Public Health England is great news for vapers. We have further confirmation vaping is a way out of smoking. Those who continue to claim that vaping is a gateway to smoking should take the time to read the science. ‘Listen to the science’ is something we’ve heard a lot lately with COVID but hopefully those that continually criticise vaping will this time. They cannot continue to pick and choose the science that suits them.” 

The updated Public Health England report shows that:

• Vaping is the most popular aid (27.2%) used by smokers trying to quit in England in 2020
• More than 50,000 smokers stopped smoking in 2017 with the aid of vaping
• 38% of smokers believed that vaping is as harmful as smoking while 15% believed that vaping is more harmful

Michael Landl shared his concerns about the perception of vaping among current smokers:

“More than half of smokers believe that vaping is more harmful or as harmful as smoking. That is a huge concern. Misinformation about vaping plays a huge role in this misunderstanding and we all need to do whatever we can to prevent it.”

Despite this further example of scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of vaping as a means to quit smoking, the European Commission’s proposal for Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan – which was recently published – sets out steps to systematically curb vaping using the same techniques used to curb tobacco use. Such examples include expanding taxation to novel tobacco products, vaping bans outdoors and flavour bans. Next week the Commission’s scientific advisory board called SCHEER, will present their updated report on e-cigarettes which will be the basis for further EU regulations.

Commenting on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, Landl said:

“To date, the EU Commission has ignored the science on vaping in their Beating Cancer Plan. I hope that today’s report from Public Health England will be the wake up call needed for them to drop the ideological approach in favour of one based on evidence.”