One in two smokers misinformed about e-cigarettes

“The majority of smokers say they are well informed about the use of e-cigarettes, but in reality, we found that their knowledge about vaping is usually limited and incorrect.” This was one of the main findings from the survey, which was held under the direction of Sophie Roman, nurse and health consultant at Mensura. She is conducting research on the topic in view of her thesis on tobaccology, which is to be completed and presented by the end of 2017.

Between April and October 2016, Sophie surveyed around 640 employees (smokers and ex-smokers) through a written questionnaire. The results were quite surprising!   

The smokers surveyed reported to get most of their information from the media and from other smokers and vapers. “They think they are well informed about e-cigarettes and vaping, but when they get to the more difficult and more specific questions, they don’t know the correct answer”, Sophie explains. “For instance, one in three of the respondents believe that the World Health Organisation has approved the electronic cigarette as an aid for quitting smoking. However, this is not the case.”

What stood out most to Sophie was the fact that “almost two out of three people see e-cigarettes as a new smoking device and less as an aid to kick their habit.” But we shouldn’t forget that e-cigarettes are not a healthy alternative to traditional cigarettes.

During her research, Sophie was also surprised to find that two in three respondents have never consulted a specialist to help them quit smoking. Also, one third of those wanting to give up smoking for good are convinced they can do so without the help from a tobacco specialist.

“Again, making sure that the correct information is made available can make a big difference”, Sophie continues. “Only 2% of people who quit smoking without counselling or help from an external source will still be off cigarettes one year later. Compare this with those who do seek help from a certified tobacco specialist, and you’ll see that 25% will still be non-smokers after twelve months. This number even rises to 40% when they incorporate cognitive behaviour therapy and nicotine replacements.”

More than a quarter of the vapers surveyed said to have purchased their e-cigarette in a specialist store. Sophie Roman argues that these stores should take more responsibility and provide warning statements. Employers can also play an important role in keeping their workforce healthy by providing the correct information during preventive health checks.

“Employers can inform their workers about the detrimental health effects of vaping”, Sophie Roman adds. There are two key messages to deliver:

• Electronic cigarettes are not a ‘healthy’ alternative to traditional cigarettes. Vaping is harmful, the long-term health effects are yet unknown, and it will further sustain the addiction.

• At best, e-cigarettes could be incorporated instrategies to quit smoking, under guidance from a health practitioner and only when proven methods to help people quit smoking, such as traditional nicotine replacements, do not seem effective.