Should E-cigarettes be offered on the NHS?

 

This is a question that will no doubtable cause many debates with endless contrasting arguments; E cigarettes are seen as a healthier, less toxic alternative to standard cigarettes that contain tobacco. Each year around 78,000 people die from smoking cigarettes alone, that statistic not including those who develop debilitating illnesses caused by smoking. Smoking is one of the UK’s biggest killers and something needs to be put in place to help those who want to escape the addiction. 

 

E cigarettes are advertised as a guilt-free option across the media, with many of the young generation taking a liking to them due to their convenience and variety of flavours. The range of products available encourages the youths’ curiosity resulting in 11% of 15-year-olds vaping regularly, a statistic that may keep growing if the NHS are seen to be providing and advertising these products.

 

 Although E-cigarettes may be slightly better than normal cigarettes, they should not be seen as a healthier alternative. The aerosol which is inhaled contains harmful substances such as nicotine therefore they are just as addictive. One Juul Pod which is a type of E-cigarette roughly provides 200 puffs. That is equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes! Hence why when inhaled, there can be serious consequences such as lung disease.

 

Therefore, I think it would be inappropriate for the government to prescribe a dangerous, addictive chemical and promote it as a safer alternative because it’s far from that, with a reported 4 deaths in 2020 and many cases of lung diseases caused by E-cigarettes. Although the cases are far lower than smoking normal cigarettes, they are still causing an increasing number of deaths. If the NHS provides this substitute, they are practically encouraging the use of E-cigarettes and potentially increasing the amount of people with a nicotine addiction. 

 

Despite the fact I believe this type of treatment shouldn’t be given out on the already struggling NHS, something still needs to be put in place to help people who are trying to give up cigarettes. Alternatives such as nicotine patches or gum that gives users the hit they crave is a much healthier and positive way to completely stray users from the drug. Current evidence suggests that nicotine alternatives such as chewing gum, patches and nasal spray increases the quitting rate, going from 50 to 70%. This would be the best option as it provides users with support and helps them battle the addiction without the use of E-cigarettes.