Over the past decade, the UK’s smoking rates have gradually decreased to one of the lowest in Europe. This positive change can be attributed to increased tobacco tax, and the National Health Service’s (NHS) attempts to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking. However, 1 in 7 Brits still pick up a pack of cigarettes …

England looks set to become the first nation in the world to prescribe e-cigarettes, following a landmark decision from the English health authorities. The government’s drive for a smoke-free England by 2030 spurs this drive, making the country a global leader in progressive anti-smoking and e-cigarette policy.

In an era full of fake news and alternative facts, it’s often tough to sort the truth from the clickbait. The truth about vaping and smoking exemplifies this issue perfectly, as public perception differs wildly from government advice. Public Health England describes vaping as 95 per cent safer than smoking. However, a mere one in three English adults know this fact.

The US vaping scare has meant that the second half of 2019 has been turbulent for the vaping industry. At the time of writing this post, approximately 50 deaths have been linked to vaping. In addition to this, nearly 2,500 people have reported e-cigarette related illnesses.

In reality, teenagers are far more likely to take illegal drugs or drink alcohol than they are to vape. In the UK, approximately 38% of 11-15-year-olds have tried alcohol, 24% of 11-15-years-olds have tried illegal drugs, and 12% of 11-18-year-olds have tried vaping.