UK Council Offers Free Vape Kits to Help Smokers Quit

Bath and North East Somerset Council has launched an initiative to encourage adults to stop smoking by offering free vape kits in exchange for cigarettes. The kit, available to residents in the area, includes a rechargeable vape and a month’s supply of e-liquids.

New data from Action on Smoking and Health shows that more than half of those who have successfully quit smoking in the last five years used a vape during their attempt to stop. Becky Reynolds, director of public health for Bath & North East Somerset Council, highlights the strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking.

“We are really pleased to be part of the national Swap to Stop programme in B&NES, which gives local smokers an opportunity to try vaping at no cost to themselves,” Reynolds states. “We know how difficult it is to quit smoking, and most smokers will have tried many times. Vaping is currently the most popular and most effective way to quit, so I encourage smokers in B&NES to take up this great offer.”

The Swap to Stop initiative supports the government’s goal of achieving a smoke-free society by 2030. To participate, individuals must be over 18 and willing to share their contact details for a follow-up session.

SmokeFree Hull Helps Smokers Quit with Free Vape Scheme

SmokeFree Hull, a stop-smoking service run by Hull City Council, reports that almost a quarter of people who sought their help between April 2023 and March 2024 used a vape to quit. The organization offers free vapes to over-18s looking to give up smoking, along with one-to-one support and guidance.

Hull faces a significant challenge with one of the highest smoking rates in the UK at 20.9%, compared to the national average of 12.9%. Last year, the city received an additional £500,000 from the government to supplement its existing £481,177 budget to help reduce the number of smokers.

One former smoker who benefited from the SmokeFree service shares their experience, saying, “Using a vape has helped me get off tobacco. I’m breathing a lot easier now, and I don’t cough up as much phlegm. It’s so satisfying seeing the difference, and it’s improved and helped me cope with my COPD better.”

Recent figures from charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggest that smoking costs Hull £352 million annually, including healthcare costs, social care, the impact of poor health on work ability, and money spent on smoking rather than within the local economy.

Councillor Linda Chambers, Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Adult Social Care, finds it encouraging to see so many people successfully quitting smoking using vapes. However, she cautions against complacency, stating, “While these figures are great news, our smoking rate in Hull remains stubbornly high. It’s important not to become complacent about just how dangerous smoking is.”

As more local councils and health organizations recognize the potential of vaping as a tool to help smokers quit, initiatives like Swap to Stop and SmokeFree Hull showcase the positive impact of providing free vape kits and support to those looking to break free from tobacco addiction.

News source: Free vapes to encourage adults to stop smoking

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.