The media is full of articles and information in relation to E-cigarettes (or vaping) recently. From reading the news, E-cigs can seem quite scary. We’re here to answer any questions you might have about how e-cigarettes should be and are currently being used in Lincolnshire today.
First, what are they?
An E-cigarette is a stop smoking device that has been found to be an effective way of helping smokers quit the habit of smoking tobacco. E-cigarettes allow you to inhale an aerosol of vapour, instead of inhaling smoke. They can either contain nicotine with varying strengths, or be nicotine free.
Who can use them?
It’s important to know that you should only use an e-cigarette if you smoke tobacco and are over 18 years of age. E-cigarettes are a stop smoking aid and shouldn’t be used by anyone who doesn’t already smoke tobacco.
Why?
People using E-cigs can become dependent on Nicotine and develop a habit. So, if you’re already a non-smoker then e-cigs aren’t for you. There’s no need to get hooked on something that is designed to help others to quit smoking.
Why are e-cigarettes a better option to smoking tobacco?
It may seem strange swapping one thing for another, but e-cigarettes are regarded as being 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco. The most important thing that makes e-cigarettes a better option is that nothing is being burnt in the process of using an e-cigarette. When a cigarette/pipe/rollup is lit, various chemical reactions occur and over 5000 dangerous chemicals such as Carbon Monoxide, tar and smoke are released and it is these chemicals that are causing most of the dangers to people’s health.
One You Lincolnshire and E-cigarettes
Since One You Lincolnshire began in 2019, we have been an e-cigarette friendly service. By this we mean that we have always been supportive of clients using e-cigarettes rather than smoking tobacco products, but the client has always been responsible for purchasing these for themselves.
However, since October 2022, the service is now able to offer E-cigarettes as a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) option to anyone who is over 18 and a smoker. These products are free to anyone wishing to quit smoking, and they can be used solely on their own or combined with other NRT products like nicotine patches.
Why can’t I quit cold turkey?
Well, if you wish to, you can. However, we recommend using NRT as an aid to manage cravings. It is nicotine that is the addictive property in tobacco that causes people to become addicted to smoking. By gradually reducing nicotine levels over a 12-week course, cravings are managed and you are much less likely to relapse. AKA you will be MORE likely to succeed in your quit!
We pride ourselves in being able to offer a wide variety of NRT products including patches, gum, lozenges, mouth/nasal sprays, and inhalators. E-cigarettes are the newest addition to this list of optional quit aids for Lincolnshire smokers who wish to give up the habit.
Are YOU ready to make a change today? Sign up to our Be Smoke Free programme, for 12-weeks worth of funded telephone support with a trained stop smoking practitioner and available NRT.
Sources and further reading:
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