Smoking in United Kingdom
The overall smoking prevalence in the United Kingdom has reduced significantly since 2011. 12.9% of the adult population in the United Kingdom are current smokers, down from 20.2% in 2011. This means there are now approximately 6.4 million smokers in the country. 14.6% of men smoke, whilst 11.2% of women are current smokers. The most recent data show there were 114,513 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 51,700 women and 62,800 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 18.87% (women: 16.9%; and men: 20.5%). Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in the United Kingdom and there are 3.6 million vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 6.4% (women: 5.6%; and men: 7.2%). There is a requirement to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning, there are no restrictions on the range of flavours available and they can only be sold to those 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription and there are no legal restrictions on their use in public places. Heated tobacco products (HTP) are allowed to be used and can be marketed, but the situation is more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products can be marketed and are available to buy in many general shops without a prescription. The NRT market in the United Kingdom is worth €165.4 million. For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
Read articles from United Kingdom
April 18, 2024 by theguardian.com
This new bill could wipe out smoking – the only losers would be those who profit from it | Chris Whitty
Smoking addiction affects many, with about 80,000 deaths yearly in the UK. Smoking-related diseases heavily impact deprived areas. Proposals in a tobacco bill aim to create a smoke-free generation, banning sales to under 15s, supported by health professionals and the public. This move can reduce lung cancer, heart diseases, and birth complications over time. The tobacco industry's tactics to promote addiction are concerning, despite evidence showing control measures reduce illegal sales. The bill's approval could significantly improve public health by preventing future diseases and reducing health inequalities for children.
April 17, 2024 by spiked-online.com
The panic over vaping is pure hysteria
Vaping has emerged as a safer alternative to smoking, providing nicotine without harmful combustion byproducts. Despite its popularity with 5.2% of UK adults, some still criticize vaping, ignoring evidence of its reduced risks compared to smoking. With misinformation spreading, studies like the one claiming vaping increases heart failure risk by 19% are met with skepticism due to lack of peer-review and potential biases. The WHO's exaggerated warnings, like linking vaping to seizures, lack substantial evidence. Properly regulated vaping is seen as a successful harm reduction tool, contrasting with anti-nicotine sentiments.
April 17, 2024 by bbc.com
MPs back smoking ban for those born after 2009
MPs have backed a plan to ban anyone born after 2009 from buying cigarettes, effectively ensuring it will become law. The measures, championed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, survived despite opposition from several leading Tory figures - including two ex-PMs. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told MPs "there is no liberty in addiction" as she defended the plans. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill passed by 383 votes to 67. If they become law, the UK's smoking laws will be among the strictest in the world.
April 11, 2024 by bbc.com
'Zombie' drug xylazine found in cannabis THC vapes in UK
People using cannabis THC vapes risk inhaling a very dangerous substance called xylazine, UK experts warn after discovering some confiscated products contained the "zombie" drug. It is "alarming" to find it in "even a few" illicit e-cigarettes that many think are pretty harmless, experts say. Dr Caroline Copeland and colleagues from King's College London say new types of illicit xylazine products are now entering the UK market. As well as risky vapes, they found tablets being sold as codeine and diazepam, or Valium, that contained xylazine.
April 08, 2024 by filtermag.org
Handing Out Vapes in Emergency Rooms Could Save Thousands of Lives
Researchers at the University of East Anglia trialed providing free vape starter kits to smokers in UK emergency departments. After six months, 7.2% of the vape group had quit smoking compared to 4.1% in the control group. Offering vapes in A&E settings could help reach populations who may not access traditional cessation services, potentially leading to over 22,000 additional quitters annually. Emergency rooms offer a unique opportunity for behavior change due to heightened health awareness. Transitioning smokers to vapes could lead to significant health and financial benefits for individuals and healthcare systems. Expanding this approach is supported if adequately funded to avoid staff strain.
March 28, 2024 by gbnews.com
‘What are you talking about?!’ Surgeon slams guest for praising vaping in heated debate
A GB News debate on vaping vs. smoking sparked controversy as a surgeon argued against promoting vaping for harm reduction. Professor Sherif Sultan criticized the idea of providing vapes for free, citing concerns about corporate interests and lack of scientific evidence. He disputed claims of vaping safety, warning of potential lung issues and emphasizing the World Health Organization's stance against it. Accusations of tobacco industry influence and lack of transparency were exchanged during the heated discussion. The debate highlighted differing opinions on vaping's health impacts, with the FDA's caution also mentioned.
March 28, 2024 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
UKVIA response to University College London study on vaping
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) says it welcomes the research looking the health impact of vaping so that the relative risks of vaping and smoking can be better understood. The trade body says that although one leading academic described the study data as ‘crude’, implying a link to changes in cheek cells which could potentially cause cancer, the study authors said their findings did not prove that e-cigarettes caused cancer.
March 27, 2024 by uea.ac.uk
Handing out vapes in A&E helps smokers quit
Giving out free e-cigarette starter packs in hospital emergency departments to people who smoke helps more people quit – according to research from the University of East Anglia. The trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), offered advice, an e-cigarette starter pack and referral to stop smoking services to people attending A&E for any reason, to help them to stop smoking. Six months later, almost one in four people given the starter packs said they had quit smoking. And those who received the packs but didn’t quit altogether, were more likely to have reduced the number of cigarettes they smoked.
March 27, 2024 by bbc.com
Free vapes given out in A&E could save 'thousands of lives'
Handing out free vapes to smokers in A&E departments could "save thousands of lives", a new study has found. Academics from the University of East Anglia (UEA), based in Norwich, conducted a trial in six UK emergency departments, between January and August 2022. The trial saw hundreds of daily smokers given e-cigarette starter kits and offered advice, with smoking habits assessed six months later. The university said the approach "could result in more than 22,000 extra people quitting smoking each year".
March 26, 2024 by bbc.com
Disposable bans will not work, says vape boss
Banning disposable vapes will not be "effective", the boss of the UK's largest tobacco firm has told the BBC. Tadeu Marroco, chief executive of British American Tobacco (BAT), also said raising the smoking age would have "non-intended consequences". The government plans to outlaw disposable vapes next April as part of the "biggest public health measure in decades". BAT is the UK's third-largest vape seller. Sales of disposable vapes - which give a few hundred puffs of nicotine-containing liquid before being thrown away - have skyrocketed in recent years in Britain. It is estimated hundreds of millions are now sold every year, many of them illegal.