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A new study involving University of Bristol researchers has revealed that young adults are more likely to give up smoking and switch to vaping if they are informed about its reduced harm. However, widespread misinformation about vaping may be preventing smokers from making the switch.
The study, published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research and led by a team at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, analyzed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The findings suggest that young adults who perceived vaping as less harmful than smoking at age 23 or 24 were more likely to have transitioned from smoking to vaping six years later.
Dr. Katherine East, Associate Professor in Public Health at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the study’s lead author, emphasized the impact of misinformation. “There is a lot of misinformation circulating that vaping is as bad as smoking or even worse. While vaping is not without risks, the evidence is clear that vaping is much less harmful than smoking and can help people successfully quit smoking.”
The study highlights that in England in 2024, 85% of adults who smoked inaccurately believed that vaping was as harmful or more harmful than smoking, compared to just 59% a decade earlier. This growing misconception may discourage smokers from adopting vaping as a less harmful alternative.
Dr. Jasmine Khouja, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol and the study’s senior author, stressed the need for interventions to combat misinformation. “In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of people believe that vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking. Our study shows that these beliefs could be stopping some people from switching from smoking to vaping as a less harmful alternative. It is important for people who smoke to understand that although vapes are not risk-free, switching to vaping could dramatically reduce their risk of developing smoking-related diseases.”
Professor Ann McNeill, co-author of the study and Professor of Tobacco Addiction at King’s College London, reinforced the message, stating, “Smoking is uniquely deadly and will kill one in two regular sustained smokers, yet most people who smoke do not know vaping is less harmful and can help them to stop smoking completely. Our study shows the importance of addressing vaping misperceptions among people who smoke.”
The study underscores the necessity of public health initiatives to correct misconceptions and promote harm reduction strategies. Researchers advocate for better education on the relative risks of vaping and smoking to encourage informed decision-making among smokers.
Disclaimer: While vaping is considered a less harmful alternative to smoking, it is not without risks. This article does not promote vaping but aims to provide an evidence-based perspective on harm reduction. Individuals seeking to quit smoking should consult healthcare professionals for guidance on cessation methods.
A new study involving University of Bristol researchers has revealed that young adults are more likely to give up smoking and switch to vaping if they are informed about its reduced harm. However, widespread misinformation about vaping may be preventing smokers from making the switch.
The study, published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research and led by a team at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, analyzed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The findings suggest that young adults who perceived vaping as less harmful than smoking at age 23 or 24 were more likely to have transitioned from smoking to vaping six years later.
Dr. Katherine East, Associate Professor in Public Health at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the study’s lead author, emphasized the impact of misinformation. “There is a lot of misinformation circulating that vaping is as bad as smoking or even worse. While vaping is not without risks, the evidence is clear that vaping is much less harmful than smoking and can help people successfully quit smoking.”
The study highlights that in England in 2024, 85% of adults who smoked inaccurately believed that vaping was as harmful or more harmful than smoking, compared to just 59% a decade earlier. This growing misconception may discourage smokers from adopting vaping as a less harmful alternative.
Dr. Jasmine Khouja, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol and the study’s senior author, stressed the need for interventions to combat misinformation. “In recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of people believe that vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking. Our study shows that these beliefs could be stopping some people from switching from smoking to vaping as a less harmful alternative. It is important for people who smoke to understand that although vapes are not risk-free, switching to vaping could dramatically reduce their risk of developing smoking-related diseases.”
Professor Ann McNeill, co-author of the study and Professor of Tobacco Addiction at King’s College London, reinforced the message, stating, “Smoking is uniquely deadly and will kill one in two regular sustained smokers, yet most people who smoke do not know vaping is less harmful and can help them to stop smoking completely. Our study shows the importance of addressing vaping misperceptions among people who smoke.”
The study underscores the necessity of public health initiatives to correct misconceptions and promote harm reduction strategies. Researchers advocate for better education on the relative risks of vaping and smoking to encourage informed decision-making among smokers.
Disclaimer: While vaping is considered a less harmful alternative to smoking, it is not without risks. This article does not promote vaping but aims to provide an evidence-based perspective on harm reduction. Individuals seeking to quit smoking should consult healthcare professionals for guidance on cessation methods.
