Amid the inflation and economic instability, many have been finding it hard to afford their regular expenses. According to the British Standards Association, about 36% of people are relying on savings to get through the current financial crisis, while 13% of people have no savings whatsoever.
The cost of living crisis highlights how ditching cigarettes for vaping could actually:
- Reduce the financial pressures of the current climate.
- Reduce the harms of tobacco on health
In this blog we will explore the financial and health implications of making the switch.
Cost of Cigarettes vs Vapes
As inflation soars, cigarettes can be seen as a significant financial drain. Estimates from Wales’ NHS stop smoking service show that a 20-a-day smoker can spend over £277 a month on cigarettes. To put this into perspective, average energy bills are estimated to rise by approximately £693 a year in Wales, which means that money spent on tobacco could help soften the blow of the upcoming surge.
In 2018, researchers from the University College London found that switching from tobacco to vaping led to savings in the region of £800 a year. To break this down, a standard 10 ml bottle of e-liquid can sit in the region of 3 to 5 pounds, depending on brand and nicotine strength used. In contrast, a standard packet of 20 cigarettes currently sits in the region of 12 pounds. Based off this simple breakdown, if a single bottle of e-liquid were used a week, this would fall far below the cost of a single packet of 20 cigarettes.
How do E-Cigarettes actually work?
E-Cigarettes (also known as vapes) are battery-powered devices that heat liquid containing nicotine. Users inhale the vapor produced by liquids when they are heated. The devices can be seen as a less damaging smoking alternative that can satisfy nicotine cravings.
E-liquids are available in a variety of flavours and strengths, which in turn gives users control over how much nicotine they consume.
Health
By switching to vaping, current research marks that tobacco users will be less exposed to harmful chemicals that cause: cancer, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease.
In Wales, tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and is estimated to take the lives of approximately 5,000 people each year. Research indicates that while vaping is not risk-free, it is significantly less harmful than smoking.
Researchers at King’s College London recently conducted a study which concluded that: in the short to medium-term, the risks of vaping carries a ‘fraction’ of the risks of smoking. The research reviewed over 400 international studies, and has been marked as the largest of its kind.
The study highlights that:
- The levels of exposure to cancer-causing (substances) and other toxicants are drastically lower in people who vape compared with those who smoke.
- While not completely risk-free, vaping is ‘substantially’ less harmful than smoking in the short and medium term.
Case Study
Many UK health boards have taken a proactive approach to those keen to switch to less harmful alternatives.
One such health board is Hywel Dda, who have recently taken practical steps to offer advice and support to patients within mental health services. Mental health units in Wales have recently become smoke-free, in line with smoke-free hospital grounds across the country. The new legislation means that many patients enquire about alternative nicotine delivery methods, such as vaping.
To compliment support, the health board has recently signposted to a particular vaping company to mental health patients seeking to make the switch. These steps have been taken to provide practical support to smokers, in a bid to facilitate less harmful tobacco alternatives.
Cath Einon, Smoking & Wellbeing Team at Hywel Dda University Health Board states:
- “We have always been a Vape friendly service as our specialists are passionate about reducing the harm caused by tobacco. Use of safer forms of nicotine has long been part of the treatment we give and, over the years, we have found that vapes have become a popular alternative to the licensed pharmacotherapy that we traditionally gave access to.”
- “Our staff receive regular training on vaping and our conversations with users keep us on top of trends.”
- “It is important that services with knowledge of nicotine addiction are able to support users whatever form this nicotine takes, and our main aim is reducing the harm caused by tobacco use and support our local population to live healthier lives.”
- “We also offer licensed nicotine products to assist vape users to come off the vapes using behavioural support and relapse prevention skills.”
Along with behavioural support and assistance from the hospital, patients work towards reducing the amount of nicotine they are using until they can stop vaping altogether.
Blog take home
In terms of health, current research indicates that switching to e-cigarettes can significantly reduce the harms of smoking. Based off the economic costs of smoking, there is also strong potential for e-cigarettes to offer more affordable alternative to tobacco. In light of this, vaping can offer a less-harmful and affordable alternative to smoking in Wales.
References
- SMOKING AND INEQUALITIES
- With a third of people relying on their savings to get by, UK Savings Week aims to help those who can get into a better savings habit
- Energy price: Governments row over cash for struggling households
- E-cigarette FAQs
- A smoke-free Wales: Our long-term tobacco control strategy
- Vaping substantially less harmful than smoking, largest review of its kind finds
