A million smokers will be targeted in new scheme to encourage switch to vaping

10 April 2023 , 23:01

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Vapes or e-cigs do not contain harmful tobacco but do contain addictive nicotine (Image: AP)

One million smokers will be urged to swap cigarettes for free vapes in a world first scheme.

E-cigarette starter kits will be offered to one in five of all users in England under the “swap to stop” programme.

Pregnant women will be offered up to £400 to quit. And a consultation will be launched on introducing mandatory advice on quitting smoking to be placed in cigarette packs.

Health minister Neil O’Brien will launch the scheme today, saying: “Up to two out of three lifelong smokers will die from smoking. We will work with councils and others to offer a million smokers across England a free vaping starter kit.”

A choice of products, strengths and flavours will be available. Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death, with smokers losing a decade of life on average.

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Pregnant women will be offered up to £400 to quit cigarettes (Getty Images)

The Government vowed to get the nation smoke free by 2030 but experts warn this will be missed without action.

Vapes or e-cigs do not contain harmful tobacco but do contain addictive nicotine.

Do you back the “swap to stop” scheme? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

Although vaping is not known to be free of risk, health authorities assess it has just 5% of the risk of tobacco smoking.

Deborah Arnott, of the Action on Smoking and Health group, said: “These are welcome steps, but nowhere near sufficient.”

Martin Bagot