The facts matter
At Vuse, we realise you may have real concerns about vaping. Inaccurate reports online and in the media about certain vaping products won’t have helped you make an informed decision.
If this is you, then you’ve come to the right place. Vuse is tested by a team of over 50 leading scientists and researchers dedicated to testing and improving our vapour products. Their work has also culminated in the recent release of a whitepaper that summarises 10 years of scientific evidence around vaping.
We’d like to share some interesting facts from our whitepaper that will provide you with accurate and relevant information on vaping and hopefully address any concerns or questions you may have.
Vaping in the world today
Smoking is still one of the leading causes globally of preventable morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization estimates that around 1.3 billion adults worldwide smoke[1].
However, according to population modelling studies cited in BAT’s Scientific Review[2], a significant reduction in premature deaths could be achieved if current smokers switched exclusively to vaping rather than continuing to smoke. These studies use population data and simulations to project the health-related outcomes associated with the long-term risks of smoking versus vapour use over time.
Righting the wrongs
Yet in the past decade, the number of people who incorrectly believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes has risen in the UK, Europe, and the U.S.[3].
This is despite several scientific reviews[4],[5],[6] published in the same period showing that vaping products manufactured in accordance with quality standards present less risk to health than cigarettes*. It is these misconceptions we would like to address.
*Based on the weight of evidence and assuming a complete switch from cigarette smoking. These products are not risk-free and are addictive[7]
The difference between Cigarette smoke and e cigarette vapour
Cigarette smoke is a highly complex aerosol containing roughly 6,500 different compounds. Roughly 150 of these compounds (like carbon monoxide, benzene, arsenic and formaldehyde) are known to be toxic to the human body. These compounds all contribute to smoking-related diseases[8].
Vape pens and e cigarettes also create an aerosol, but it comes from heating an e liquid consisting mainly of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and flavouring ingredients. The heat in these devices reaches around 250 degrees celsius, which means there is no combustion[9].
Due to the fewer ingredients and the lower heat, the aerosol in vape pens and e cigarettes contains a low number of compounds than cigarette smoke, and those that are present are in much lower concentrations[10]. To learn more about what’s in your e Liquid click here.
Expert analysis
Dr. David O’Reilly, Director of Scientific Research at Vuse commented:
“This whitepaper is a comprehensive summary of more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific papers and other evidence published by an estimated 50 institutions over the past decade.”
“The reality is that many leading public health authorities have reported that vaping is less harmful than smoking, and that this harm reduction potential can be maximised if those smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke, switch exclusively to using vapour products.”[11]
Vaping innovations
E cigarettes have now been around for nearly 10 years. In that time the industry has worked hard on improving how their products deliver nicotine. This has been achieved by increasing the performance of vape pens and e cigarette devices and the introduction of Nicotine Salts to better mimic the smoking experience without irritation[12].
NZ Government leads the way
We are also pleased to see the forward-thinking actions taken by the NZ Government through their Quit Strong campaign. This Ministry of Health website takes an informed look at the advantages of vaping over smoking, sending a strong signal to smokers that vaping is a lot less harmful than smoking, and a lot cheaper! It also provides important tips on finding the right vape pen and where to go for help to quit smoking. In no small way, this positive stance by a government agency is creating real momentum.
Vaping versus Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Even in terms of nicotine replacement therapy (the use of nicotine gum, patches or lozenges), other recent studies cited within the whitepaper suggest that vape pens and e cigarettes are now more successful than NRT[13],[14]for providing smokers with a satisfactory alternative to cigarettes.
Knowledge is key
In summary, we leave the final comment to Dr. David O’Reilly who says: “We hope this paper will be used as a resource by public health authorities, and support adult smokers seeking to understand the breadth of scientific evidence that exists to inform their choices.”[15]
We couldn’t agree more.
[1] WHO: Tobacco Trends Report, 2019. (See here).
[2] BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 2. (See here).
[3] BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 7. (See here).
[4] McNeill, Brose, Calder, Hitchman, Hajek and McRobbie: E-cigarettes: an evidence update. London: Public Health England, 2015.
[5] McNeill, Brose, Calder, Bauld, and Robson: Vaping in England: an evidence update including mental health and pregnancy. London: Public Health England, 2020.
[6] Eaton, Kwan and Stratton: National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine Public health consequences of e-cigarettes. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2018.
[7] BAT: World Vape Day: BAT publishes comprehensive review highlighting 10 years of scientific evidence on vaping, May 2021. (See here).
[8] BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 5. (See here).
[9] BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 5. (See here).
[10] BAT: Scientific Review: Article Summary: A comprehensive evidence review of electronic cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, 2021, page 5. (See here).
[11] BAT: World Vape Day: BAT publishes comprehensive review highlighting 10 years of scientific evidence on vaping, May 2021. (See here).
[12] Office for National Statistics, 2020. (See here).
[13] Cox, Dawkins, Doshi, and Cameron: Effects of e-cigarettes versus nicotine replacement therapy on short-term smoking abstinence when delivered at a community pharmacy, Addictive Behaviors Reports, December 2019.
[14] Hajek, Phillips-Waller, Przulji, Pesola, Myers Smith, Bisal, Li, Phil, Parrott, Sasieni, Dawkins, Ross, Goniewicz, Wu and McRobbie: A Randomized Trial of E-Cigarettes versus Nicotine-Replacement Therapy, The New England Journal of Medicine, February 2019.
[15] BAT: World Vape Day: BAT publishes comprehensive review highlighting 10 years of scientific evidence on vaping, May 2021. (See here)
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