Latest news with #E-cigarettes
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Doctor reveals the 'horrifying truth' about vaping as first controlled study ends
Dr Maxime Boidin has concluded the first controlled study into the long-term effects of vaping. As of today, June 1, disposable vapes are banned in the UK. This was decided by the UK government in a bid to deter young people and children from vaping, and to protect the environment. However, with refillable vapes still available, one expert has said that Britain is sleepwalking into a "health emergency" after he conducted the first controlled study into the damage that e-cigarettes are having on vapers' bodies. Dr Maxime Boidin, senior lecturer in Cardiac Rehab at Manchester Metropolitan University, has spent the last two years monitoring the long-term effects that vapes are having on their users. This was done by comparing the health of a group of vapers with that of non-vapers and cigarette smokers, reports the Mirror. From the study, Dr Boidin revealed that he was most shocked about the damage he saw to vapers' arteries. This damage could be taken as an almost certain sign that users will develope cardiovascular problems and even organ failure in the future. His overall conclusion was that vaping may be more dangerous to the body than using cigarettes. He suggested that long-term users may be at risk of developing serious illnesses, such as dementia and heart disease. Dr Boidin has said that the new ban on disposable vapes is a "step in the right direction", but he does believe that all vapes should be banned from shops and made only available on prescription. In July, Dr Boidin is set to present his findings at the Manchester Metropolitan University at a sport science conference in Rimini, Italy. Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "These products primarily target younger individuals, whereas older adults tend to use refillable options. From a health perspective, the ban should reduce access among the younger population, as refillable vapes are generally more expensive and less accessible. "From an environmental standpoint, we frequently see single-use vapes - and their packaging - littering pavements.. "In the end, the ban is a step in the right direction, but it represents only a small part of the broader educational and cultural change that's needed." Starting today, it is illegal for businesses in the UK to sell or supply vapes both in-store and online. If a supplier is caught selling vapes, they will receive punishments such as fines and prison sentences. While the NHS described inhaling nicotine vapour from E-cigarettes as "substantially less harmful than smoking", Dr Boidin believes the health threat to vapers is even worse. This is because of how much harder it is to control. He said: "Smokers tend to go outside and smoke, and once a cigarette is finished they have to light up another to keep going. But with vapes, you just keep going and it's much harder to know how many puffs you've had. It's much easier to vape continuously because you can do it in places where smoking might be less acceptable." Through his monitoring of the different groups - who were aged between 18 and 45 and had similar levels of physical activity - Dr Boidin was shocked to discover that vapers and smokers had similar levels of damage to their arteries. Every volunteer was given a stress test to measure the elasticity of their blood vessels and speed the blood flowed to their brains. 12 hours prior to the test, the participants only consumed water and stopped vaping, smoking and exercising. After a mediated dilation test (FMD), Dr Boidin found that vapers and smokers had damaged the artery walls so they could no longer dilate to allow blood to flow through. Blood flow in both groups was also found to be at a similar level, making them at a higher risk of developing cognitive dysfunction. It is believed that the damage is due to the inflammation caused by nicotine, as well as the metals and chemicals found in vapes, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine. Dr Boidin said: "When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body you can't expect nothing to happen." He continued: "What we have found is the dangers for someone who keeps vaping are no different from smokers. "At the beginning (of the study) I also believed that vaping was more beneficial than smoking. You see a lot more people vaping these days because they don't think it's too bad. Many will be horrified to know the truth." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Dr Boidin believes that all vapes should be taken off this market, with only doctors being able to prescribe them. He said: "The only benefit of vaping is to help people quit smoking, but if they keep vaping the result is going to be the same. "I think doctors should be able to prescribe vapes for a certain time, so they could be used as a transition tool, but only for a short time. We now know the long-term effects of vaping, and if we don't act now we will see a health emergency in the next ten, 15 years." Labour MP Rachael Maskell has called for tighter restrictions to be placed on vapes. She said: "This study adds to the body of evidence that vaping can cause significant harm to a person. The government should take stricter measures in ensuring that vapes are only accessible to people who currently smoke as a smoking cessation intervention." However Dr Marina Murphy, who is the scientific spokesperson for the UK Vaping Industry Association, dismissed the study. She said: "Millions of people have been using vaping products safely for many years. All the available data suggests that vapes are unlikely to exceed 5% of the health risks associated with cigarettes."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I've studied effects of vaping - heart disease, organ failure and dementia'
Dr Maxime Boidin has just concluded the world's first controlled study into the long-term effects of vaping at Manchester Metropolitan University, and says Britain is sleepwalking into a "health emergency" after seeing for himself the damage e-cigs are doing to vapers' bodies The expert leading the world's first controlled study into the long-term effects of vaping says he's pleased the government has banned single-use vapes - but says much more needs to be done to avert a looming " health emergency". Dr Maxime Boidin, Senior Lecturer in Cardiac Rehab at Manchester Metropolitan University, has spent the last two years monitoring a group of vapers, comparing their health to groups of non-vapers and cigarette smokers. And he says he has been shocked at the damage he's seen in vapers' arteries - an almost certain sign of future serious cardiovascular problems and even organ failure. He concludes that vaping may be more dangerous to the body than cigarettes - putting long-term users at risk of serious illness, including dementia and heart disease. Dr Boidin, who will present the findings of his two-year study at Manchester Metropolitan University at a sport science conference in Rimini, Italy, in July, said the ban on disposable vapes which comes into effect tomorrow is a "step in the right direction" - but believes all vapes should be banned rom shops and only available on prescription. He told the Mirror: "These products primarily target younger individuals, whereas older adults tend to use refillable options. From a health perspective, the ban should reduce access among the younger population, as refillable vapes are generally more expensive and less accessible. "From an environmental standpoint, we frequently see single-use vapes - and their packaging - littering pavements.. "In the end, the ban is a step in the right direction, but it represents only a small part of the broader educational and cultural change that's needed." The move to outlaw disposable vapes follows mounting concern over the rise in teen vaping. Starting from tomorrow, it will be illegal for businesses in the UK to sell or supply the vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine, and covers both in-store and online sales.. Inhaling nicotine vapour from E-cigarettes has been described by the NHS as 'substantially less harmful than smoking' and is considered a safer way for people to give up smoking But Dr Boidin believes the health threat to vapers is even worse, because of how much harder it is to control. He adds: 'Smokers tend to go outside and smoke, and once a cigarette is finished they have to light up another to keep going. But with vapes, you just keep going and it's much harder to know how many puffs you've had. It's much easier to vape continuously because you can do it in places where smoking might be less acceptable.' Monitoring the health of different groups of volunteers, he was shocked to find that the arteries in both vapers and smokers suffer similar levels of damage - a sign of future cardiovascular problems as arteries narrow restricting the flow of blood to vital organs. During the study at the university's Institute of Sport, participants - aged between 18 to 45, with an average age of 27 and similar levels of fitness and physical activity - were given regular stress tests to measure the elasticity of their blood vessels and the speed of blood flow to their brains. For 12 hours prior to testing, they consumed only water and desisted from vaping, smoking and exercise. According to Dr Boidin, the mediated dilation (FMD) test, in which a cuff is placed on the participant's arm and inflated to restrict the blood flow, before being released to measure how much the artery expands as more blood is passed through it, produced the starkest results. In both smokers and vapers the test achieved a flat reading, signalling damaged artery walls that can no longer dilate - an almost certain sign of future serious cardiovascular problems. Further tests proved that the blood flow in smokers and vapers is similarly impaired, making them at risk of developing cognitive dysfunction, including dementia. Dr Boidin, senior lecturer in cardiac rehabilitation, believes the damage is due to inflammation caused by nicotine, as well as the metals and chemicals found in vapes, which include propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine. Substances in the chemical flavourings such as carbonyl compound are known to cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to artery inner wall damage and cell death. He says: 'When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body you can't expect nothing to happen.' Shocked by his own findings, he adds: 'What we have found is the dangers for someone who keeps vaping are no different from smokers. 'At the beginning (of the study) I also believed that vaping was more beneficial than smoking. You see a lot more people vaping these days because they don't think it's too bad. Many will be horrified to know the truth.' Vaping use in the UK has exploded since the first electronic cigarettes arrived here in 2005. There are now 5.1million people aged 16 or over in Britain - about one in ten - using vapes, according to figures last year from the Office for National Statistics. Vaping rates were highest among those aged 16 to 24, at 15.8%. One million people in England now vape, despite never having been regular smokers, a seven-fold increase in three years, according to a University College London study published in The Lancet Public Health Journal. And, despite recent vaping scares, like the death this year of Hollyoaks star Paul Danan, aged 46, who months earlier revealed he'd had to be revived after suffering respiratory failure caused by excessive vaping, Public Health England is still advising that 'vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking'. Many will have been convinced that taking up vaping won't be prejudicial to their health, thanks to oft-repeated advice including from Public Health England which states that 'vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking'. The agency, however, admits that 'evidence is mostly limited to short and medium term effects and studies assessing longer term vaping are necessary.' That advice has not changed despite recent scares, including the tragic death this year of Hollyoaks star Paul Danan, aged 46, who months earlier revealed how he had to be revived after suffering respiratory failure caused by excessive vaping. Other shocking cases have emerged of collapsed lungs, fainting or vomiting ominous green liquid, linked to heavy vaping. Dr Boidin says he also has evidence that vaping impairs people's levels of fitness, even in young vapers. He believes vaping can actually be more dangerous than smoking because it's much harder to know when to stop. 'Smokers tend to go outside and smoke, and once a cigarette is finished they have to light up another to keep going. But with vapes you just keep going and it's much harder to know how many puffs you've had. But Dr Boidin says all vapes should only be available on prescription in Britain, to avoid a 'health emergency.' He says: 'The only benefit of vaping is to help people quit smoking, but if they keep vaping the result is going to be the same. I think doctors should be able to prescribe vapes for a certain time, so they could be used as a transition tool, but only for a short time. 'We now know the long-term effects of vaping, and if we don't act now we will see a health emergency in the next ten, 15 years.' Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central who has called for tighter restrictions on vapes, says: 'This study adds to the body of evidence that vaping can cause significant harm to a person. The government should take stricter measures in ensuring that vapes are only accessible to people who currently smoke as a smoking cessation intervention.' But Dr Marina Murphy, scientific spokesperson for the UK Vaping Industry Association, dismissed the study's findings, saying: 'Millions of people have been using vaping products safely for many years. All the available data suggests that vapes are unlikely to exceed 5% of the health risks associated with cigarettes.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Vaping's sickening side effects as study shows it's 'even worse than smoking'
The Manchester Metropolitan University study into the long-term effects of vaping comes as a government ban on single-use vapes comes into force As the government's ban on single-use vapes comes into force, new research has cast fresh doubts on their safety - with a bombshell study warning e-cigs may actually be more dangerous to people's long term health than cigarettes. The move to outlaw disposable vapes follows mounting concern over the rise in teen vaping. Starting from tomorrow, it will be illegal for businesses in the UK to sell or supply the vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine, and covers both in-store and online sales.. But leading cardiac rehabilitation expert Dr Maxime Boidin, who conducted the world 's first controlled study into the long-term effects of vaping, says e-cigs are so harmful the restrictions on their sales should go much further, and cover refillable vapes too. Dr Boidin will present the findings of his two-year study at Manchester Metropolitan University at a sport science conference in Rimini, Italy, in July. But, as revealed exclusively by the Mirror, his research already shows that vaping may pose more risks to health that traditional cigarettes, increasing the risk of dementia, heart disease, and organ failure for long-term users. Inhaling nicotine vapour from E-cigarettes has been described by the NHS as 'substantially less harmful than smoking' and is considered a safer way for people to give up smoking. But Dr Boidin's work may change the accepted health advice and lead to more calls for a blanket ban, with vapes available on prescription only. Monitoring the health of different groups of volunteers, he was shocked to find that the arteries in both vapers and smokers suffer similar levels of damage - a sign of future cardiovascular problems as arteries narrow restricting the flow of blood to vital organs. Speaking to the Mirror, Dr Boidin said tomorrow's ban on disposable vapes is a "step in the right direction" which will help make vapes less accessible for teenagers and reduce the effects on the environment. He said: "These products primarily target younger individuals, whereas older adults tend to use refillable options. From a health perspective, the ban should reduce access among the younger population, as refillable vapes are generally more expensive and less accessible. "From an environmental standpoint, we frequently see single-use vapes - and their packaging - littering pavements.. In the end, the ban is a step in the right direction, but it represents only a small part of the broader educational and cultural change that's needed." During the study at the university's Institute of Sport, participants - aged between 18 to 45, with an average age of 27 and similar levels of fitness and physical activity - were given regular stress tests to measure the elasticity of their blood vessels and the speed of blood flow to their brains. For 12 hours prior to testing, they consumed only water and desisted from vaping, smoking and exercise. According to Dr Boidin, the mediated dilation (FMD) test, in which a cuff is placed on the participant's arm and inflated to restrict the blood flow, before being released to measure how much the artery expands as more blood is passed through it, produced the starkest results. If you can't see the poll, click here Smokers and vapers achieved a flat reading, signalling damaged artery walls that can no longer dilate - an almost certain sign of future serious cardiovascular problems. Further tests proved that the blood flow in smokers and vapers is similarly impaired, making them at risk of developing cognitive dysfunction, including dementia. Dr Boidin, senior lecturer in cardiac rehabilitation, believes the damage is due to inflammation caused by nicotine, as well as the metals and chemicals found in vapes, which include propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine. Substances in the chemical flavourings such as carbonyl compound are known to cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to artery inner wall damage and cell death. He says: 'When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body you can't expect nothing to happen.' Shocked by his own findings, he adds: 'What we have found is the dangers for someone who keeps vaping are no different from smokers. 'At the beginning (of the study) I also believed that vaping was more beneficial than smoking. You see a lot more people vaping these days because they don't think it's too bad. Many will be horrified to know the truth.' Vaping use in the UK has exploded since the first electronic cigarettes arrived here in 2005. There are now 5.1million people aged 16 or over in Britain - about one in ten - using vapes, according to figures last year from the Office for National Statistics. Vaping rates were highest among those aged 16 to 24, at 15.8%. One million people in England now vape, despite never having been regular smokers, a seven-fold increase in three years, according to a University College London study published in The Lancet Public Health Journal. And, despite recent vaping scares, like the death this year of Hollyoaks star Paul Danan, aged 46, who months earlier revealed he'd had to be revived after suffering respiratory failure caused by excessive vaping, Public Health England is still advising that 'vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking'. Other shocking cases have emerged of collapsed lungs, fainting or vomiting ominous green liquid, linked to heavy vaping. Dr Boidin, whose study results will be published soon, says he has evidence that levels of fitness, even in young vapers, can be impaired. One of the study volunteers Adam Petrulevic, a 25-year-old masters student studying strength and conditioning at the university, says he vapes 'without stopping'. 'I never really smoked, but I started vaping two years ago,' he says. 'I always thought it was much less harmful than smoking. 'I take a puff every few minutes and only stop when I go to sleep. A 500-puff vape used to last me a few days but now it's not even a day. Now I'm on 3,500-puff vapes which should be more than a week, but I finish them in three days.' A volunteer known only as Marine, 33, started vaping three years ago to wean herself off smoking and uses a heated tobacco device. She says: 'I didn't smoke in the house but now I vape all day long. I decided to take part in the study because I wanted to know what it was doing to me. I've noticed that I'm out of breath more, I feel that it's not so good for my health.' Both volunteers were alarmed by Dr Boidin's negative findings. Adam says: 'It's definitely an incentive for me to stop.' Many will have been convinced that taking up vaping won't be prejudicial to their health, thanks to oft-repeated advice including from Public Health England which states that 'vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking'. The agency, however, admits that 'evidence is mostly limited to short and medium term effects and studies assessing longer term vaping are necessary.' That advice has not changed despite recent scares, including the tragic death this year of Hollyoaks star Paul Danan, aged 46, who months earlier revealed how he had to be revived after suffering respiratory failure caused by excessive vaping. Other shocking cases have emerged of collapsed lungs, fainting or vomiting ominous green liquid, linked to heavy vaping. Dr Boidin says he also has evidence that vaping impairs people's levels of fitness, even in young vapers. He believes vaping can actually be more dangerous than smoking because it's much harder to know when to stop. 'Smokers tend to go outside and smoke, and once a cigarette is finished they have to light up another to keep going. But with vapes you just keep going and it's much harder to know how many puffs you've had. Marine adds:'I'm going to quit. I never expected vapes to be as bad as cigarettes.' The Government has announced that disposable vapes - colourfully packaged devices that come in candy-like flavours and have been blamed for an increase in teenage users - will be banned from June. But Dr Boidin says all vapes should only be available on prescription in Britain, to avoid a 'health emergency.' He says: 'The only benefit of vaping is to help people quit smoking, but if they keep vaping the result is going to be the same. I think doctors should be able to prescribe vapes for a certain time, so they could be used as a transition tool, but only for a short time. 'We now know the long-term effects of vaping, and if we don't act now we will see a health emergency in the next ten, 15 years.' Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central who has called for tighter restrictions on vapes, says: 'This study adds to the body of evidence that vaping can cause significant harm to a person. The government should take stricter measures in ensuring that vapes are only accessible to people who currently smoke as a smoking cessation intervention.' But Dr Marina Murphy, scientific spokesperson for the UK Vaping Industry Association, dismissed the study's findings, saying: 'Millions of people have been using vaping products safely for many years. All the available data suggests that vapes are unlikely to exceed 5% of the health risks associated with cigarettes.'
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Wales Online
Cardiff store found selling illegal tobacco and vapes as owner hauled to court
Cardiff store found selling illegal tobacco and vapes as owner hauled to court The owner of the Cardiff shop was also sentenced for two health and safety offences, one of which related to live electrical wires protruding out of the walls Best One Vape in Clifton Street in Cardiff was found to be selling illegal tobacco and illegal E-cigarettes (Image: Cardiff Council ) A shop owner in Cardiff has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds after selling illegal vapes and illegal tobacco. Sirwan Nuri Kadri, 37, of Clifton Street, was sentenced at Newport Magistrates' Court on April 29 for five illegal tobacco and E-cigarette offences. Kadri, who owns Best One Vape in Clifton Street, was also sentenced for two health and safety offences relating to an unstable fridge and live electrical wires that were found protruding out of walls at the back of his business. The shop owner had pleaded guilty to to illegal tobacco and E-cigarette offences at a previous hearing on January 23. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . Cabinet member for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council, Cllr Norma Mackie, said: 'This isn't the first time we've had issues with this business. "The shop has barely re-opened since we closed it for three months last November due to an anti-social behaviour closure order for selling contraband tobacco and vapes. 'It seems the danger they pose to their customers extends beyond the products they sell. Live electrical wires were found poking through their walls posing an immediate life-threatening hazard if touched. Article continues below 'Health and safety legislation exists for a reason. Businesses need to comply with the law to ensure the safety of their staff and customers. "Any breaches like this will be met with the full force of the law to keep people safe.' Best One Vape was ordered to close for three months in November 2024 (Image: Google Street View ) An investigation was launched by SRS on Best One Vape after complaints were made by members of the public that it was selling illegal tobacco products and illegal E-cigarettes. The shop was later given an anti-social behaviour closure order in November 2024, which meant it had to close for three months. The shop owner was ordered to pay thousands of pounds (Image: Cardiff Council ) When the live electrical wires were found SRS issued an improvement notice on the business and it was told that if the issue was not resolved the property could be served a prohibition notice. Several follow up visits took place by Cardiff Council officers and although the electrical wires were no longer visible the business failed to provide any documentation to prove that work to resolve the matter had been carried out by a competent person. The company Best One Vape Ltd was fined a total of £4,000 for the health and safety offences and a further £5,000 for the illegal tobacco and vapes. It was ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge, costs of £570 for the health and safety offences, and £1,048 for the tobacco and E-cigarette offences. Kadri was fined £1,400 for the illegal tobacco and vape offences and ordered to pay £1,048 in prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £560. A forfeiture order was granted for all the illegal tobacco and vapes so they can be destroyed. Article continues below
Time Business News
01-05-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
The Health Debate: Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking in the UK?
Introduction The United Kingdom finds itself at the fulcrum of a contentious health debate: is vaping truly safer than smoking? As tobacco use declines and e-cigarette shops proliferate across high streets, the conversation around harm reduction has become more nuanced and urgent. Vaping has evolved from a niche alternative to a widespread phenomenon, embraced by those seeking to quit smoking and criticized by skeptics who warn of long-term unknowns. In a nation that has championed progressive public health campaigns, the rise of vaping has presented both a solution and a conundrum. The narrative surrounding its safety is shaped by science, skepticism, and social change. Unlocking Opportunities in the Modern Smoke Industry As consumer demand for alternatives to traditional smoking rises, businesses are increasingly exploring new avenues to meet these evolving preferences. One of the most lucrative and rapidly expanding sectors is vape wholesale, offering retailers access to a broad range of products at competitive prices. This distribution model allows shops to keep up with trends and provide the latest devices and flavors to their customers. By partnering with reputable suppliers, businesses can ensure product quality and compliance with regulations. Ultimately, wholesale solutions create a scalable foundation for long-term success in the ever-changing landscape of smoking alternatives. Understanding the Composition: Cigarettes vs. E-Cigarettes Traditional cigarettes are a toxic cocktail of combustion. Each puff releases over 7,000 chemicals—many of which are known carcinogens. Arsenic, formaldehyde, benzene, and tar are just a few of the more notorious compounds. The danger lies not only in nicotine addiction but in the damaging by-products of burning tobacco. Vaping, in contrast, operates without combustion. E-cigarettes use a battery-powered device to heat a liquid—typically comprising propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and varying levels of nicotine. Though fewer chemicals are involved, this doesn't render the vapor benign. Certain flavor compounds, when heated, can produce harmful substances like formaldehyde and acrolein. However, the absence of tar and carbon monoxide is significant and forms the crux of the argument for its relative safety. Health Implications: A Comparative Analysis Smoking's dangers are well-established: lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular ailments, and stroke dominate the litany of its consequences. Its health toll is vast, relentless, and indisputable. The NHS attributes around 76,000 deaths annually in England to smoking-related conditions. Vaping, though comparatively recent, has been scrutinized by health bodies for its physiological effects. The Royal College of Physicians asserts that vaping is likely to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking, citing the reduced toxicant exposure. Yet this does not equate to harmlessness. Vaping-related lung injuries, known in the U.S. as EVALI, and reports of chronic throat and respiratory irritation highlight its latent risks. Importantly, most UK cases have not mirrored the scale of the American crisis, owing largely to stricter product regulations. Regulatory Landscape in the UK The UK's approach to vaping is markedly different from that of other nations. Public Health England (PHE), a former branch of the Department of Health and Social Care, has openly endorsed e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. This bold stance is supported by studies and the country's pragmatic harm-reduction philosophy. E-cigarettes in the UK are regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. This mandates maximum nicotine concentrations, ingredient transparency, child-safety mechanisms, and advertising restrictions. Unlike in the United States, where black market products have caused widespread concern, the UK has instilled robust safety protocols that may explain its more favorable public health outcomes. Public Perception and Behavioral Trends Public sentiment in the UK toward vaping remains divided. Older smokers often view e-cigarettes as a lifeline—an escape from combustible tobacco. Younger demographics, however, are at the heart of the controversy. Concerns abound that flavored e-liquids and sleek designs appeal disproportionately to adolescents. The concept of a 'gateway' effect—where vaping potentially leads to cigarette use—has been debated, though UK data does not strongly support this trend. Most youth who vape have previously smoked, suggesting a reverse causality. Still, the optics of teenage vaping in school corridors have raised alarms among educators and parents alike. Scientific Ambiguities and Ongoing Research Despite a growing body of evidence, the scientific community continues to grapple with vaping's long-term impact. Many studies are still in their infancy, constrained by the technology's recent emergence. Biomarker research suggests reduced exposure to harmful substances in vapers compared to smokers, yet epidemiological data on chronic disease development remains sparse. Independent research organizations, including Cancer Research UK, continue to evaluate vaping's efficacy and safety. Their findings underscore the importance of product standardization and consumer education. Unregulated or illicit vaping products, particularly those containing THC or vitamin E acetate, present risks that could skew public understanding. Conclusion The discourse on whether vaping is safer than smoking is neither binary nor static. In the UK, where public health strategies often embrace innovation, vaping has been positioned as a pragmatic harm-reduction tool. Yet, safety is a spectrum—not a destination. The absence of smoke does not equate to the absence of harm. As regulations evolve and research deepens, clarity will gradually replace conjecture. For now, the public must navigate this terrain with discernment, guided by science but tempered with caution. Smoking kills. Vaping may save lives—but it is not without its own shadows. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
