The UK government is launching a major program to reduce smoking in the country. As part of the initiative, one million smokers will receive free e-cigarettes. Pregnant smokers and smokers in socio-economically vulnerable groups will be the first to benefit.
"We want to make it as easy as possible to quit smoking and we have seen that this strategy has been very successful. Trials have been successful locally in several major cities and shown good results in subsequent studies" says Health Minister Neil O'Brien wide a press conference.
Focus on vulnerable groups
The project will run for two years and is coordinated with local stop-smoking centers. The initiative is called "Swap to Stop" and will primarily target pregnant women and smokers in socio-economically vulnerable environments. Job centers, homeless centers and special housing will be the focus.
"Smoking not only increases the risk of disease and contributes to a poorer economy. It also leads to economic losses for society as a whole. Smokers get sick more often and are absent from work more often. They are also more likely to lose their jobs than non-smokers and ex-smokers" says Neil O'Brien. "We also know that smoking is almost twice as high among people with mental health problems. This contributes significantly to the fact that people in this group die on average ten years earlier than others."
Pregnant smokers get more help
Pregnant smokers will also receive more effective help to quit. Vejpning will therefore be launched as a 'first line quit aid' at local quit-smoking centers.
"9% of pregnant women smoke during pregnancy, which can have devastating consequences for both the woman and the baby. Large studies have shown that vejping is significantly less harmful than smoking. We also know that it is one of the most effective tools in a quit-smoking attempt" says Neil O'Brien.
He refers to the reports regularly published by Oxford University and the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction group.
Financial incentives
The support will also include regular lung and breath tests to increase the motivation of the pregnant woman to stay smoke-free. At the same time, health ministers stress that economic factors also influence the choice to quit smoking during pregnancy.
"If there are clear economic benefits to quitting smoking, the success rate doubles." Says Neil O'Brien. "While we would prefer that no one smokes or vejps, using e-cigarettes is significantly less harmful and cheaper than smoking. A smoker can save up to £2,000 a year just by stopping buying cigarettes"
Along with the 'Swap to Stop' initiative, the UK government is also investing £3 million to reduce the illegal sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
