Back in 2019, the UK government announced bold plans for England to become ‘smokefree’ by 2030, meaning an adult smoking prevalence rate which falls to 5% or less of the population. Fast forward four years and only seven at the time of writing from that target date, is the plan an ambitious achievable one or now unrealistic? 

As we have seen in the past decade, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, smoking numbers are falling, which is a great sign, but at the same time there are still six million smokers in the UK. Below we evaluate what’s happened during the four years, some interesting new developments in the news and whether the UK can achieve the goal of Smokefree by 2030. 

Key Statistics About Smokers and Smoking Cessation

Below are just some of the key stats taken from a recent study by ASH (Action on Smoking and Health Organisation) that highlights how smoking impacts social groups and potentially generations to come if it’s not stopped.  

• Nearly twice as many smoking-related cancers are diagnosed in the most deprived quintile of the adult population of England every year compared to the least deprived quintile (11,247 vs. 6,200). 
• People living in social rented housing are 3.8 times more likely to smoke than people who own their properties outright (28.6% vs 7.6%).  
• People with routine and manual occupations are 2.5 times more likely to smoke than people with managerial and professional occupations (23.2% vs 9.3%). 
• The prevalence of smoking is 25.8% among people with a long-term mental health condition and people with anxiety and depression,9 and 40.5% among people with serious mental illness. 
• Women living in the most deprived areas are more likely to smoke throughout pregnancy (66.6% of those who were smokers at conception are still smokers at delivery) than women in the least deprived areas (57.7% are still smokers at delivery). 

Why Has the Smokefree Plan Stalled? 

Only last year, prominent health organisation Cancer Research UK stated that it would be more like 2039 that the target of 5% or less prevalence is achieved by the UK government based on current projections. Currently based on their estimates, this is a more realistic timeline unless policies drastically change, and we witnessed instead a 70% increase in pace on the original set timeline. 

So, what is the UK doing wrong? 

Well, to begin with, they are sending mixed messages to not only key influential figures but the population as a whole by not following through with their initial message that e-cigarettes are 95% safer than smoking cigarettes. Instead, they publish government reports and we also see in the media (free press) all types of sensationalist ‘studies’ that scaremonger the public into believing that vaping is just as dangerous.  

What much of this centres around in the news and reports is a high number of articles about the dangers and easy accessibility of black market vapes and even legally sold disposable vapes, which offer an entry into vaping for young non-smokers.  

Already we’re seeing a clamp down on this with countries like Australia, New Zealand and the US imposing heavy sanctions across the e-cigarette market, which is already heavily regulated. The UK needs to draw a line and back up their initial claim that vaping is significantly safer as an alternative than smoking. 

The plan to get the UK Smokefree by 2030 also requires more funding at the government level for stop smoking services, as well as further campaigns and clear messaging that smoking is an inevitable killer. While the Khan review of 2022 highlighted the steps the UK government needs to take to reduce smoking numbers, we are still yet to see a 2023 tobacco control plan update which was expected midway through the year. 

What is the Latest UK Government Plan for Smoking Cessation? 

Finally, we have seen a positive step from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with his recent announcement to increase the smoking age by one year every year so that eventually cigarettes are removed altogether. 

With that in mind, the plan would mean a child aged 14 today would never be allowed to buy tobacco. A bold move that may define his time as PM, and interestingly with no opposition from other parties such as Labour. The law has already been set by New Zealand that it will be illegal for anyone born after 2008 to buy a cigarette, so could the UK soon follow? Based on 500,000 admissions to NHS hospitals every year because of cigarettes, clearly something needs to be done. 

As highlighted in the Khan review, other measures need to be followed for the 2030 goal to become fact and not fiction. Unless steps such as improving prevention in the NHS and promoting vaping through government-backed initiatives are not supported, that 2030 target will quickly pass. 

Each year we know that roughly 76,000 people die from cigarette habits. Organisations like the NHS are trying to put a stop to that by offering services and alternative products that can help smokers quit. One of those recommended products is e-cigarettes, which also contain nicotine (an addictive substance) like cigarettes.   

But there has always been a real curiosity about how much nicotine is actually in each vape kit. Compared to cigarettes, which are not only bad for your health but always have a distinctive smell and taste (impacting the senses of humans who smoke), vaping is available in different flavours and formats.   

Recently, there has been a surge in the popularity of disposable vaping. But with a TPD regulations maximum capacity set of 2ml per disposable, just how much nicotine is inside each puff bar?  

The Amount of Nicotine in a Cigarette  

Studies over the years have varied with results regarding nicotine levels within each individual stick contained in an average 20 pack of cigarettes. Generally, the consensus is that most cigarettes contain between 11.9 mg and 14.5 mg per stick, but not all of that is absorbed.   

This is because the concentration is diluted due to varying factors, such as the nicotine content itself, how a person puffs a cigarette, individual frequency of smoking and the design of the product. So in fact, it’s typically closer to 1-1.5mg of nicotine actually inhaled and absorbed per cigarette.  

It’s important to know this so we can figure out as close an estimate as possible in comparison to absorbing nicotine through vaping. What’s important to note between the two is the other chemicals absorbed into the body.   

While there is still limited research into long-term use, we know that e-cigarettes contain a mixture of nicotine, flavourings, vegetable glycerin and/or propylene glycol. Whereas cigarettes contain up to 5,000 different toxins and chemicals, many of which are dangerous to the body, including combustible tobacco and other carcinogens.   

Nicotine derived from the tobacco plant is the addictive substance that keeps somebody smoking or vaping. Importantly, with an e-liquid compared to a cigarette, it’s much clearer what the nicotine level is per vape juice, and even more importantly, you can reduce that level yourself by selecting a reduced nicotine strength or even zero percent nicotine.  

How Much Nicotine in E-Liquids and How is This Measured?  

The mathematics is simple to work out how much nicotine is in a vape juice bottle. As stated previously, it’s illegal to sell a vape juice bottle containing nicotine of a quantity larger than 2ml. You can buy 50ml or 100ml shortfill bottles, where you can add a nicotine shot yourself, but the larger bottle does not contain nicotine.   

As a rule of thumb, nicotine with e-liquids is measured per millilitres. Therefore, with a maximum limit of 20mg nicotine strength, whether traditional freebase nicotine or using a nicotine salt formula, 20mg/ml vape juice equates to 40mg of nicotine in a 2ml bottle.   

Other strengths include 3mg, 6mg, 10mg, 12mg and 18mg per ml, so you always multiply by two to get the total nicotine concentrate per bottle.  

If a smoker puffs between 1-1.5mg of nicotine per stick, the maximum amount of nicotine that person will inhale is 30mg per pack.   

Complete levels of absorption research on nicotine from vaping are at early stages but highlight increased absorption compared to smoking. Rough estimates show that vaping a 2ml e-liquid at 20mg strength equates to smoking one or two packs of cigarettes.  

A Disposable Vape Comparison to Cigarettes 

With disposable vapes, they are often sold in 2ml capacity with 20mg nic salts (aimed at heavy smokers). But you can also find them in 10mg options, which is better for social smokers looking to quit.   

What you get is a higher concentration of nicotine with a 20mg disposable, and because it’s created with the nicotine salt process, that means quicker absorption into the bloodstream and smoother delivery.   

Because the equivalency of a 20mg nic salt is one to two packs of cigarettes, you get roughly the same level of nicotine in one compact device and nowhere near the dangerous chemicals and toxins in your system.  

In mathematical terms, if you puff on a cigarette between 10-15 times before discarding it, even at the maximum amount of 15 puffs for a disposable, with an average disposable vape allowing 600 puffs, that’s equal to two packs of cigarettes.  

With disposables from the likes of Elf Bar, Elux and Geek Bar, they’re considered convenient entry-level devices with sweeter e-liquid flavours that acts as a transitional device between smoking and vaping a more cost-effective pod kit or vape pen in the future.   

You’ll still get a like-for-like nicotine habit, with less of the dangerous toxins and sweeter flavours to match (with it more than likely your senses will begin to return after quitting smoking).   

For a cheaper price than a packet of cigarettes and a safer alternative for your health, it’s a win-win switching from smoking to vaping, with equal amounts of nicotine available for a fraction of the price.  

The debate rages on about the risks of vaping in the UK compared to picking up a packet of cigarettes from your local shop. While decades of research have highlighted the dangers of smoking to the general public, as well as to those in a passive nature, what can be said of vaping, which is still in its infancy in terms of research? We explore the pros and cons of vaping instead of smoking as an alternative recommended by health professionals (although not advised as a stand-alone product to use).   

Health Benefits of Vaping vs Smoking 

Vaping is often touted as a healthier alternative to traditional smoking, but can it improve your health after you quit smoking? It would be more prudent to go cold turkey and cut out nicotine completely (which is not a health risk on its own but can produce mild side effects, as well as being addictive).   

One of the main advantages of vaping is that it eliminates the combustion process that occurs with smoking, which releases harmful toxins and carcinogens into the lungs. Vaping also allows users to control their nicotine intake, which can be helpful for those looking to quit smoking. Additionally, some studies have suggested that vaping may be less harmful to the cardiovascular system compared to smoking. However, it’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health effects of vaping.   

 Potential Risks and Side Effects  

While vaping may have some potential health benefits, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and side effects associated with it. One of the main concerns is the lack of regulation and oversight in the vaping industry, which has led to the availability of products that may contain harmful substances. There have been cases of lung injuries and even deaths linked to vaping, although these incidents are speculation rather than direct proof, as medical researchers do not have concrete proof that a death or injury is solely linked to vaping compared to smoking.  

Additionally, there is concern about the appeal of vaping to young people, as it can serve as a gateway to traditional smoking. Nicotine addiction is also a potential risk, as some e-liquids contain high levels of nicotine. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the risks and make an informed decision about whether vaping is right for you.   

Cost Comparison: Vaping vs. Smoking  

One of the main benefits of vaping compared to smoking is the potential cost savings. Vaping can be significantly cheaper than smoking traditional cigarettes, especially in the long run. While the initial cost of purchasing a vaping device and e-liquids may be higher, the ongoing costs are generally lower. This is because e-liquids are typically cheaper than packs of cigarettes, and a single bottle of e-liquid can last for a longer period.   

In the UK, with the increases in tobacco tax, this has put the price of a pack of cigarettes up to an average of £12, depending on the brand. So even if vaping consists of more equipment, as a long-term alternative you will notice a difference in your bank balance.  

Additionally, there are often discounts and promotions available for vaping products, further reducing the cost. However, it’s important to note that the cost of vaping can vary depending on individual usage and preferences.   

Vaping Regulations in the UK  

In the UK, vaping is regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. These regulations set out various requirements for the manufacturing, packaging, and sale of vaping products. For example, e-liquids must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and meet certain quality and safety standards. Vaping products cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18, and there are restrictions on advertising and promotion of vaping products. Vapers need to be aware of these regulations and ensure they are purchasing and using vaping products that comply with the law.  

Final Thoughts  

There are several factors to weigh up whether it is the right decision to vape. Essentially, its core aim and purpose as a cessation tool is to help smokers quit, and it has done so for a few years now, with vaping numbers increasing and smoking numbers decreasing. While there are high costs sometimes associated with vaping devices and accessories, in the long run, it still works out cheaper than a smoking habit and is significantly better for your health. So hopefully this article has helped to point out why it is important for multiple reasons to put down the cigarette and try other alternatives to increase your chances of quitting smoking for good.  

As the years pass, the shocking truths about smoking cigarettes continue to highlight why it is not just bad for general health and those around you but also for the environment.   

With eight million lives a year lost globally from tobacco, that alone is enough evidence to suggest the danger that smoking poses.   

It’s the most littered item globally, with trillions of cigarette butts found in oceans, beaches and pathways each year. With that in mind, how bad is it for our planet and why? What can be done to reverse the damage and provide a better future?   

To understand this, we must look at the journey of making a cigarette to the trillions that are puffed each year and then disposed of.  

The Lifecycle of a Cigarette

With so many cigarettes in circulation each year, purchased and smoked daily and habitually as an addiction, a lot of space is needed to grow tobacco plants.   

To do this, 4.3 million hectares of land are used to produce cigarettes, culminating in the needless destruction of forests, harming biodiversity and degrading soil in the process.   

Estimates suggest 11.4 million metric tonnes of wood are cured to make tobacco. And in addition, 22 billion tonnes of water in tobacco production.   

Once the tobacco leaves are harvested, they undergo various processes to create the final product. From drying and curing to blending and flavouring, each step in the production process requires time, effort and local resources. The constant use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers contaminates the environment and wildlife.  

What About Its Impact on Wildlife?

These chemicals can end up in water bodies, affecting aquatic life and potentially entering our food chain. The majority of tobacco is produced in low and middle-income countries, challenging the environment and economy of its people.   

Then the world has to consider the chemical elements used in production and how they negatively impact the environment. They seep into water and soil, which is bad for not only human health but animals too.   

How cigarette butts impact wildlife is often overlooked as well. Animals, including birds, fish, and mammals, can mistake discarded cigarette butts for food or the right sort of materials to create a nest.  

Ingestion of these toxic waste products can lead to severe health issues and even death. Additionally, animals can become entangled in cigarette packaging and suffer injuries or suffocation. Something needs to be done about this fast to protect our wildlife and ecosystem.   

How Does Smoking Pollute the Air?

Not only does smoke damage your heart, arteries, lungs and several other areas of the body, but it also does significant harm to the air we breathe. Toxic emissions produced by tobacco on an annual basis are equal to roughly three million transatlantic flights!  

It impacts greenhouse gases and releases dangerous air pollutants like carbon monoxide and about 2.6 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide per year, as well as 5.2 billion kilograms of methane into the atmosphere.  

Even the transportation of tobacco leaves in the production process, while necessary for the industry, creates so much air pollution. Tobacco smoke produces higher particulate matter pollution than diesel exhaust, which highlights the risks faced when tobacco farms are created. And with second-hand smoke, smokers are also releasing thousands of dangerous toxins into the air, harming those in the vicinity.   

Toxins trickle into the earth slowly from cigarette butts, taking 14 years to do so, which are not biodegradable, plus the plastic filters damage the land too. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that can take years to decompose. As they break down, they release microplastics into the environment, further polluting our ecosystems. The impact and shift it has helped to create towards global warming is both clear and alarming.   

The packaging of cigarettes also contributes to waste and litter. The glossy cardboard boxes, plastic wrapping, and foil-lined inner packaging are often discarded improperly, adding to the growing problem of plastic waste. Improper disposal of cigarette packaging not only tarnishes our environment but also adds to the challenges of waste management, requiring additional resources to clean up and process.  

What Can Be Done to Combat This Threat to Our Environment?

The tobacco industry, perhaps feeling threatened by the decline in popularity and the rise of the vaping industry, is recognising the need for change. And so is the Uk government, with their goal to reduce smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2030. One of the key areas of focus is sustainable tobacco farming. By implementing organic farming methods and reducing the use of harmful chemicals, companies aim to minimise the impact on soil, water, and ecosystems. This is a step in the right direction.  

But more needs to be done by governments and regulatory bodies, who have a key part to play in addressing the environmental consequences of cigarettes. Stricter rules must be implemented across the board in all of the areas we have described above from deforestation and littering to tobacco farming and consumer behaviour and awareness.  

By supporting these alternative solutions and initiatives, consumers can make a difference. However, it is crucial for not just consumers but governments and organisations to support and not just talk the talk but walk the walk with action. Let us stub out the truth and pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future.  

The debate rages between the worldwide sales of cigarettes containing tobacco vs e-cigarettes as a nicotine replacement. While the UK supports vaping with the world’s first ‘swap to stop’ scheme, countries such as Australia are taking a different approach.   

With the plan to make e-cigarettes prescription-only, what does this mean for the vaping industry, not just down under but worldwide? Will other countries follow suit? Did the UK not get the memo about the risks of vaping to their population of roughly 60 million?  

Australia Tackling Youth Vaping With Biggest Reform in Decades;

In one of the biggest news stories regarding the jostle between smoking and vaping in some time, Australia has made an interesting announcement. Instead of following the same pro-vaping message emitting out of the UK, that it’s a better alternative to smoking, Australia is banning the importation of vaping products which are not prescription. And that even includes those without nicotine.

The thinking process behind this is to curb the teenage issue of inhaling vaping products underage. In addition, rules to minimise attractive packaging and colours for e-cigarettes, as well as flavours and ingredients will hopefully reduce the chances of children and their fascination with vaping. Another way they plan to do this, which is a significant step, is to ban all single-use disposables.  

How Do These Rules Differ From the UK?

Currently, the UK is fighting a different battle. While there is still negative press about vaping in the media, and certainly regarding youth vaping which is understandable, generally medical organisations and the UK government back e-cigarettes as a better alternative. While Australian Health Minister Mark Butler states the tobacco industry is trying to “create a new generation of nicotine addicts through vaping”, it’s quite a claim to make considering there is no tobacco in nicotine e-liquids for vaping.   

Organisations like the NHS recognise the risks of vaping and they do not advise non-smokers to try them, but suggest it is better to vape and quit smoking for your overall health. Studies suggest it contains much less damaging chemicals to the body than smoking.  

Smoking vs Vaping Statistics

There is indeed an issue with vaping among youth. Even in the UK, there is evidence to suggest more than 10% of young people between the ages of 11-15 years old have tried vaping, which is a serious concern. How are they getting hold of them to use when purchases can not be made legal until reaching the adult age of 18? So in this respect, it is good that Australia is tackling this problem.   

However, in the same process of making vaping products prescription only, where are they turning rebellious children? In essence, they may be turning many back towards smoking, which is interestingly not facing the same strict measures. As far as we know, you can still buy cigarettes in Australia without a prescription. In fact, sales in US dollars amount to 11 billion in 2023.    

There are still just under 6 million adult smokers and around 200,000 underage smokers each year in the UK. While there is limited evidence of the long-term risks of vaping, so far there have been no deaths caused directly by e-cigarettes. In contrast, for decades medical research has pinpointed how tobacco in cigarettes kills roughly seven million each year and that is expected to reach 10 million by 2030. So to take such strong measures in Australia towards vaping and not do the same with cigarettes seems ludicrous. Granted tobacco tax is one of the highest worldwide to try to reduce cigarette sales, but removing disposables completely may turn the youth of Australia back towards cigarettes.   

Will the UK Follow Australia?

At the moment it looks unlikely. The swap-to-stop scheme is evidence of that, as they introduced a measure in the complete opposite direction, offering free vapes to the UK public as part of a programme to reduce smoking numbers by 2030. Because they’re seeing the impact smoking is having on the British public, behavioural support will also be offered to help remove the addictive habit. Below are a few medical resources that back up the overall message from the UK that vaping is a better alternative:   

1. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking  

2. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/smoking-and-cancer/is-vaping-harmful  

3. https://www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/insights/the-truth-about-vaping  

4. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/stop-smoking/vaping  

5. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/vaping-substantially-less-harmful-than-smoking-largest-review-of-its-kind-finds   

The UK is taking another step forward as the pioneer in anti-smoking legislation with the announcement of the ‘Swap to Stop’ scheme. This initiative involves giving out one million free vape kits to share among the six million current smokers in the UK. Costing £45 million to the taxpayers, which will be funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, the latest drive to stop smoking by the UK government will also include behavioural support and a range of other measures. 

Why Smoking Statistics Have Accelerated the Need for This Scheme

You may be wondering why the UK government is backing a product like an e-cigarette that in many cases also contains an addictive substance like nicotine, which is similar to cigarettes. The curiosity is natural but the evidence is clear.  

Of the two, organisations like the NHS and Cancer Research UK claim that neither is good for your health but vaping is a better alternative if you’re a current smoker that’s finding it difficult to quit. 

Let’s face it. Cigarettes kill millions globally each year. They are the number one preventable cause of death, with UK Health Minister Neil O’Brien suggesting as much following the Swap to Stop scheme announcement. 

If you only vape e-liquids, they do not contain tobacco, which when combustible causes damaging effects to your lungs and body. And there are thousands of dangerous unknown toxins too. While e-cigarettes are not risk-free as we mentioned, the ingredients are much clearer; nicotine, a mixture of Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerine (both are used in chemical food and medical production) and sweeteners.  

But the lack of long-term evidence of any potential damage means we cannot say for certain one way or another about the impact of vaping on the human body. What medical experts are saying is it’s less of a risk than smoking – which we know can be fatal. Hence the swap to stop scheme.  

Swap to Stop – What Will £45 Million Be Spent on?

As well as one million vape kits being given to the public, the government has a few plans to help in their target of reducing smoking rates to below 5% by 2030. They want to put the wheels in motion so that once the scheme is up and running, local authorities will eventually have their say on which parts of each region can be prioritised for vape kits and verbal support. 

In addition, funds will be dedicated to helping pregnant women who still suffer from smoking addiction. Vouchers up to the amount of £400 are planned by the end of 2024 for the 1 in 10 that still smoke while carrying a child. The government wants to put less strain on the health of the UK population and the NHS.  

Also, there will be the creation of not just behavioural support to help those wanting to quit smoking, but there is another idea to include mandatory positive messaging and information inside cigarette packets, as another way to help smokers quit. 

And What About Underage Vaping? 

Another area the government has set their sights on is tackling the worrying issue of underage vaping, which is on the rise. A budget of £3 million is planned to create an ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’. This group will not just enforce rules on the vaping industry but also prevent any illegal purchases to minors of vaping accessories and equipment, whether that’s in vape stores or online sales. 

NHS figures highlighted that in 2021 vape use from children aged 11-15 years old was up to 9%, compared to 6% in 2018. Working together with Trade Standards, the illicit vapes enforcement squad will help to reduce this statistic.  

However, while it’s good that money is dedicated to tracking illegal sales of vape products, hopefully, this does not turn adults and particularly children back towards smoking, when prevalence numbers for cigarettes are at their lowest (13% in 2021). Fingers crossed that the latest initiative created by the UK government encouraging adult vapers to quit cigarettes through free e-cigarette kits is effective.