More US adults doubt e-cigarettes and their safety, according to a study by Georgia State University

The study, by the University’s School of Public Health, finds more adults in the US believe e-cigarettes are dangerous.

The number of adults who consider e-cigarettes are as harmful as, or more harmful than, cigarettes increased between 2017 and 2018.

This means the increase occurred even before the outbreak of THC-related ‘vaping’ lung illnesses.

In 2018, 43 percent of them thought that e-cigarettes are as harmful as combustibles, 8 percent thought they were more harmful.

Current smokers are included in this data and that has implications for harm-reduction among that group.

Believing that e-cigarettes are as harmful or more harmful than cigarettes could stop smokers from making the switch.

The study’s lead author, Amy L Nyman, said:

“Smokers who perceive too much risk from e-cigarettes may decide against using them to quit smoking and may instead continue with their combustible smoking habit.”

She noted that this trend is likely to have increased recently, in light of the news about ‘vaping related deaths’ in the US.

Less doubt for UK adults

Conversely, the number of vapers in the UK has increased this year.

Around 3.6m people in the UK now use e-cigarettes and this is a rise of 12.5 percent in only one year.

Also in contrast with the situation in the US, the lowest rates of e-cigarette use in the UK is among young people.

According to a study by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), vaping is most popular among 35 to 44 year olds.

Those in the UK aged 18 to 24 are less likely to vape than those aged between 45 and 54.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, said:

“Vapers should not be scared back to smoking by the news of vaping illness in the US.

“Nothing like this has been seen in the UK to date, where a proper regulatory system is in place for nicotine containing e-cigarettes, which is not yet the case in the US.”

Source: Scienmag

Source: Independent