Vapeboss – In an effort to support the use of safer alternatives like vape products, the UK government is highly progressive in crafting science-based policies. Last week, the UK announced that one million smokers would be given free vape kits to encourage them to quit combustible tobacco products, while pregnant women would also be offered up to £400 to stop smoking as part of the campaign.

Health Minister O'Brien stated that the free "swap to stop" vape policy was the first of its kind. O'Brien said that the free "swap to stop" vape policy is a unique, world-first policy that will focus on "helping people to quit" rather than imposing bans.

In his speech, O'Brien strongly supported vaping, saying, "Vaping can play an important role in helping the government achieve its smoke-free 2030 ambition," acknowledging that vapes are "significantly more effective as a cessation tool than nicotine gum or patches" and "far less harmful than smoking." Based on this, the WVA (World Vapers Alliance) named the UK as one of the champions of tobacco harm reduction in their Tobacco Harm Reduction Policy Guide. Meanwhile, smoking cessation rates in Australia have declined.

Unlike the UK, Australia's Health Minister, Mark Butler, has called vaping a "public health threat." Despite scientific data showing its public health benefits, opposition leader David Littleproud recently emphasized the importance of relaxing vape laws and regulating products to protect adults and minors.

Australia is expected to propose strengthening its e-cigarette laws, including introducing new controls on imports and packaging to curb vaping, especially among children, marking the biggest reaction to the tobacco industry in a long time.

Many tobacco harm reduction experts have urged Australian authorities to relax vape laws so that the devices are available to smokers who wish to use them to quit smoking. However, local regulators refuse to listen and remain adamant that their chosen strategy is the correct one. Nevertheless, young people in Australia are secretly buying and using vapes.

Source: Vapingpost