Misinformation and inaccurate reports are the main causes stopping people from vaping.
A recent study (2024) has shown that 85% of adult smokers inaccurately believed that vaping was as bad or worse than smoking, an increase of 59% from 10 years ago, despite Public Health England (now the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities) repeatedly saying that Vaping is 95% safer than smoking.
Here are some of the most common misconceptions:
Vaping is as harmful as smoking.
In reality, though not entirely safe, it has been repeatedly stated that vaping is 95% safer than smoking. Unlike cigarettes, vaping does not produce tar or carbon monoxide, the two main causes of smoking-related diseases.
Teenagers and non-smokers are encouraged to vape.
Despite much press around teenagers vaping or non-smokers starting because of peer pressure, marketing, and social media, evidence suggests that the numbers are in decline, and the majority of new vapers continues to be ex-smokers looking to quit.
Click-bait News Headlines.
Irresponsible news headlines designed to increase traffic are a major source of misinformation. We have all seen them, "Teenagers hospitalised after vaping," when in truth, it transpires that the vapes were either illegal black market vapes, which are not regulated, or contained substances like 'spice'.
Vaping causes 'Popcorn Lung'.
This myth circulated in the US and found its way to the UK. Popcorn Lung is a disease linked to the use of a chemical called diacetyl, which is banned in the UK.
Fact: Cigarettes contain far more diacetyl than vape liquids ever did.
Nicotine is the primary cause of smoking-related illnesses.
Despite being an addictive chemical, nicotine is not the main cause of serious smoking-related illnesses. These are attributed to the many toxic chemicals and poisons found in tobacco smoke.
Vaping doesn't help people quit smoking.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary, many people still believe that vaping won't help them quit. The NHS reports that vaping is the most effective method for quitting smoking. Many studies have shown that vaping is twice as effective as patches or gum.
Second-hand vapour is as harmful as passive smoking.
To date, no study has shown that vaping produces harmful vapour or poses a health risk. Unlike cigarette smoke, vapour contains no toxic chemicals and dissipates quickly.
Vaping and vape products are unregulated.
The UK has some of the strictest regulations relating to the manufacture and use of vape products, including vape liquid. All vape products are registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and strictly controlled by the Tobacco Products Directory (TPD).
What is stopping you from vaping?
Vaping is safer than smoking and has helped millions of people quit smoking in the UK. If you're still unsure, there are numerous reliable and trusted sources for accurate information on vaping, including the NHS and ASH (Action on Smoking and Health).