Latest News – E-Cigarettes Could be Offered on NHS

In the UK we have always touted vaping as a method to help smokers quit, and it seems like the NHS may be quickly taking the next step.

Rumours are afloat that E-Cigarettes could soon be prescribed on the NHS in England, to help people stop smoking tobacco products. With the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency inviting manufacturers to submit their goods for approval to be prescribed, it could soon become a reality. But what does this mean?

For one we’d be the first country in the world to prescribe E-Cigarettes as a medical product. At the beginning of October 2021, Australia made the bold decision to ban sales of nicotine-containing E-Liquids and E-Cigarettes making them only available via a GP in a similar move. However, at this time there are no approved nicotine vaping products in Australia. This approach by the Australian government was in the hopes of curbing young people vaping. Over on this side of the pond, the idea is to try and help persuade more smokers to make the change.

Why should E-Cigarettes be offered by the NHS?

There have been many studies in the UK, looking at the use and safety of E-Cigarettes and vaping. Due to them not producing tar and carbon monoxide, just a few of the harmful toxicants in cigarettes, vaping carries a fraction of the risk that cigarettes do. Yorkshire Cancer Research recently released a statement on vaping to combat much of the misinformation surrounding it.

With it being reported that almost 64,000 people died from smoking in England in 2019, it’s no surprise that the government and NHS are looking to step up the stop smoking campaign. However, this move could create some unintentional consequences.

Should we offer E-Cigarettes on prescription?

If E-Cigarettes were restricted to an NHS prescription, would this put more of a burden on our already strained NHS? Could it also limit smokers in their choice of E-Liquids if only certain flavours or brands are prescribed over others? Perhaps it would sit better with the NHS to simply continue to promote E-Cigarettes as a Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Recommending existing products that are regulated by our already stringent regulations for nicotine-containing products (TPD), seems a more likely route.

Although it would be wise to mention if this did come to pass, it hasn’t been suggested that E-Cigarettes would only be available via prescription (like in Australia), meaning that those looking to vape could still go out and purchase their products of choice. Instead, it is possible that this could be the much-needed gateway for many smokers who are unsure about vaping.

What do you think; should the NHS be able to offer E-Cigarettes as a prescription? Let us know in the comments below.