A new study conducted by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) suggests that people are more likely to quit smoking and switch to vaping if they understand the reduced harm associated with e-cigarettes. The findings highlight the importance of providing accurate information about the relative risks of vaping compared to smoking.
The study, which was supported by the UK Medical Research Council, Wellcome, University of Bristol, Cancer Research UK, and Society for the Study of Addiction, found that young adults who smoked at the age of 23/24 and perceived vaping as less harmful than smoking were more likely to switch from smoking to vaping six years later.
Lead author Dr. Katherine East, associate professor in public health at BSMS, stated that "misperceptions" about vaping are a factor in "deterring adults who smoke from switching to vaping." She emphasized that while vaping is not without risks, the evidence clearly shows that it is much less harmful than smoking and can help people successfully quit smoking.
The research also revealed that in England in 2024, 85% of adults who smoked inaccurately perceived vaping to be equally or more harmful than smoking, or did not know the relative harms. This lack of accurate information may be preventing smokers from making the switch to a less harmful alternative.
Cancer Research UK acknowledged that while legal e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco and other toxic chemicals found in cigarettes, they are still a relatively new product, and their long-term effects are not yet fully understood. The organization noted that the harmful side effects of vaping include throat and mouth irritation, headaches, coughing, and feeling ill, but pointed out that there is currently no good evidence that vaping causes cancer.
Dr. Jasmine Khouja, senior author and senior research associate at the tobacco and alcohol research group integrative cancer epidemiology programme, stressed the need for interventions to address the misperceptions about vaping among people who smoke. She stated that these beliefs could be preventing some people from switching from smoking to vaping as a less harmful alternative.
The study's findings underscore the importance of providing accurate, evidence-based information about the relative risks of vaping compared to smoking. By dispelling myths and misperceptions, public health officials and healthcare providers can help smokers make informed decisions about switching to e-cigarettes as a means of reducing their risk of developing smoking-related diseases.
