UK launches 'Swap to Stop': World first in fight against smoking

April 14 2023, by Novus Fumus
4 min reading time

In a world first, the British government has launched a new program to encourage smokers to swap their cigarettes for e-cigarettes. This unique measure, called "swap to quit," is part of a series of initiatives to reduce smoking in England.

In a world first, the British government has launched a groundbreaking program to encourage smokers to swap their cigarettes for e-cigarettes. This unique measure, called "swap to quit," is part of a series of initiatives to reduce smoking in England and make the country smoke-free by 2030. The goal is to reduce the smoking rate to 5% or less.

E-cigarettes as an alternative to cigarettes

As part of this national program, nearly one in five smokers in England will receive an e-cigarette starter kit and behavioral support to help them quit. Local authorities will be able to participate in this scheme later this year and will decide for themselves which groups to prioritize.

Financial incentives for pregnant women

In addition, pregnant women who smoke will be offered financial incentives and behavioral support to quit. This will take the form of vouchers, which will be offered to all pregnant smokers by the end of next year.

Positive messages on cigarette packs and tackling illegal e-cigarette sales

The government is also considering mandating positive messages and information on cigarette packs to help people quit smoking. Furthermore, illegal e-cigarette sales are being addressed to prevent children and non-smokers from starting vaping, as it's becoming increasingly popular among young people.

Benefits of quitting smoking

The benefits of quitting smoking are significant: the risk of a heart attack is halved after just one year without cigarettes. Furthermore, a smoke-free pregnancy results in fewer babies with low birth weights or developmental problems, and reduces the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, according to the British government's website .

Investing in smoking prevention and treatment

Reducing the number of smokers reduces the number of smoking-related diseases and thus relieves pressure on the NHS, the British healthcare system . The aim is to shorten NHS waiting lists.

In 2021, 9% of 11- to 15-year-olds used e-cigarettes, an increase from 6% in 2018. To address this increase, a youth vaping survey will be launched to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using e-cigarettes. £3 million in new funding will also be made available to establish a specialized "illegal vaping enforcement squad" to enforce vaping regulations and combat illegal e-cigarettes and sales to minors.

Success in tobacco control and further steps

This series of measures is a significant step in the fight against tobacco use in the UK and highlights the importance of innovative approaches to helping smokers quit. The UK remains a leader in tobacco control and prevention, with a smoking rate of 13% in 2021, the lowest ever, thanks to measures such as doubling cigarette tax since 2010 and continued funding for local smoking cessation services.

In 2021-2022, local authorities helped nearly 100,000 people quit smoking with £68 million in public health funding. In addition, £35 million was pledged to the NHS this year to ensure that all smokers admitted to hospital are offered access to NHS-funded tobacco treatment services.

Still a long way to go

Despite these efforts, 5.4 million people in England still smoke tobacco. This is the biggest cause of preventable disease and death. Recent data shows that one in four cancer deaths is caused by smoking. The new "Swap to Quit" program and its associated measures are based on Javed Khan's independent smoking review , which proposed a range of measures to help people overcome their addiction to cigarettes.

A global impact?

These initiatives are an important step in further reducing tobacco use in the UK. They emphasize the importance of creative and effective strategies to support smokers in quitting and prevent young people from starting to smoke or vape. The experiences and results of this unique program will undoubtedly attract the attention of other countries grappling with similar tobacco control and public health challenges.

Netherlands: Caution with e-cigarettes and focus on tobacco control

In the Netherlands, the emphasis is on discouraging tobacco use in general, and there is more reluctance to use e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. Instead of promoting e-cigarettes, the Netherlands focuses on preventing and discouraging smoking through campaigns, excise duty increases, and smoke-free zones. However, the Dutch government continues to invest in smoking cessation programs that offer personalized guidance and support.

What can we learn from these different approaches?

It's interesting to see how two countries employ different strategies to reduce tobacco use. While the United Kingdom sees e-cigarettes as a tool to help smokers quit, the Netherlands remains cautious about e-cigarette use and emphasizes discouraging tobacco use.

Both approaches have their own advantages and challenges. What do you think? Is it time for the Netherlands to consider the British approach, or should we stick with our current strategy? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!