E-Cigarettes and Harm Reduction: An Evidence Review

Royal College of Physicians (RCP)

A new report from the Royal College of Physicians endorses vaping as an effective smoking cessation tool and emphasises that vaping carries significantly lower risks compared to smoking.

Containing over 50 recommendations, many aimed at reducing appeal to youth, the report concludes that 'e-cigarettes remain an important tool to alleviate the burden of tobacco use'.

Recommendations on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation include:

• E-cigarettes should be promoted as an effective means of helping people who smoke to quit smoking tobacco.

• Campaigns recommending e-cigarettes for smoking cessation should include populations who are likely to experience the most benefit, including people with mental disorders, those who experience socio-economic disadvantage and people living in social housing.

• E-cigarettes should be offered as an effective treatment for smoking cessation across all NHS settings alongside established pharmacotherapy.

Link to the evidence review here.