Cigarettes have caused a heavy health and economic burden in the UK, so the UK government has started to look at the healthier e-cigarettes. Data shows that two out of every three British smokers die from cigarettes. While cigarettes generate significant tax revenues, smokers are more likely to become ill and lose their jobs than non-smokers, and the economic losses are even more staggering.” In 2022, tobacco tax revenue in the UK is £11 billion, but the total cost to the public purse associated with cigarettes is £21 billion, almost twice as much as the tax revenue.” It is a secular myth that cigarettes are a net economic benefit.” Neil O’Brien said.
The British government has decided to promote e-cigarettes in an effort to help smokers quit. A large body of research evidence shows that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than cigarettes, and high-quality evidence from leading international medical organizations such as Cochrane suggests that e-cigarettes can be used more effectively than nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking.
But e-cigarettes are not without controversy. In response to a question about the potential appeal of e-cigarettes to minors, Neil O’Brien said there are brightly colored, inexpensive, disposable e-cigarettes with cartoon designs that are marketed to children.” “These are illegal products”, he said. Special flight teams have been set up to crack down on them.” This is in line with the government’s approach to promoting compliant e-cigarettes to smokers.
“E-cigarettes are a double-edged sword. We make every effort to prevent minors from accessing e-cigarettes and to help adult smokers quit using them.”‘ He said.
In April 2023, the U.K. government launched the world’s first “pre-quit e-cigarette” program to provide smokers with free e-cigarettes to improve their success in quitting. O’Brien said one million British smokers will receive free e-cigarettes and a range of behavioral supports under the program, which has been successfully piloted in deprived areas with high smoking rates.
A growing number of British smokers are using e-cigarettes to successfully quit. Data shows that just a few weeks after quitting, smokers’ lung function levels improve by 10 percent and their risk of diseases such as heart disease is significantly reduced. Quitting will also save each smoker about £2,000 a year, which in poorer areas means a significant increase in local spending.
“E-cigarettes can play an important role in helping the government achieve its 2030 smoke-free target.” Neil O’Brien said e-cigarette use is not widespread enough and more needs to be done to get adult smokers to switch quickly because “if they quit today, they won’t be in a hospital bed next year.”