UK researchers are appealing to authorities to allow vejpshops and dedicated e-cigarette shops to stay open during the coronavirus crisis. Currently, shops are required to stay closed under quarantine laws.
"I wish the UK authorities would classify vejpshops as "particularly important to the public". These shops can ensure that ex-smokers have easy access to e-cigarettes. This will reduce the risk of them returning to smoking, which in turn would risk further strain on our hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic."
It says Dr. Lion Shahab, a researcher specializing in public health and psychology at the University of London (UCL) to Planet of the Vapes online magazine. He has previously published, among other things, studies on the health effects of e-cigarettes by British Cancer Society.
A popular option
And Lion Shahab is joined by several other health scientists and doctors in the UK. Among others Dr. Caitlin Notley, who is responsible for research on pregnancy and vejping at the National Research University of East Anglia.
"E-cigarettes are a popular method to quit smoking. And it is an effective way. Smokers should be encouraged to use e-cigarettes instead of smoking" she tells Science Media Center
Less risk with COVID-19
According to Caitlyn Notley, it is particularly important that pregnant smokers, an infection-prone group, are helped to quit smoking. Replacing smoking with e-cigarettes reduces the risks of the coronavirus and COVID-19, she says.
"For those smokers who switch completely from cigarettes to vejpning, we see a significant improvement in cardiovascular and lung health. And this in turn gives a better prognosis should they be affected by COVID-19" Caitlyn Notley told Science Media Center.
Italy and France allow e-cig shops
At the time of writing, the UK authorities have not decided whether or not to exempt vejpshoppers from the lockdown in the country. In countries like Italy and France e-cigarette shops are allowed to stay open, even though they, like other shops, are heavily affected by the quarantine laws in each country.
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Science Media Centre (an independent news portal where scientists comment on current research)
Dr. Caitlyn Notley's research on vejpshoppers and e-cigarettes
Dr. Lion Shahab's research on the health effects of e-cigarettes
