A new study has found that prescribing vape starter kits on the NHS may be a viable way of helping even the most hardened smokers quit.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia worked with local GPs to set up a pilot vape shop voucher scheme in Great Yarmouth, in a bid to help people who have tried and failed to quit smoking.
Results revealed that the pilot was overall a great success, with 42% of the people, who were referred to the scheme and redeemed their voucher, quitting in just four weeks.
Such was the success of the trial, the programme has now been rolled out across the whole of Norfolk with researchers hoping the scheme is set for a national launch soon.
Lead researcher and Professor of Addiction Sciences at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School, Caitlin Notley, said: “Research shows that vaping is an effective way of quitting smoking, compared to nicotine replacement therapies like patches and gum. E-cigarettes or vapes are now the most popular way of stopping smoking.
“Our research has previously shown that they may be particularly helpful in helping people to not only quit, but to stay quit for good.
“We wanted to see whether GPs giving out vape shop vouchers, alongside support from the stop smoking service, can help smokers quit. We particularly wanted to target vulnerable and disadvantaged smokers who had failed to quit smoking by other means.”
Approximately 21% of people living in Great Yarmouth smoke tobacco, which is substantially higher than not only the national average at 15% but also the rest of Norfolk at just 14%, meaning Great Yarmouth was the ideal place for a pilot like this to take place.
Almost 670 people were referred to a vape shop to redeem a starter kit voucher during the trial – 340 of those people went on to redeem said voucher at a local shop.
During their visit, smokers were given advice about e-liquid strengths and flavours as well as further support and advice from Smokefree Norfolk.
Professor Caitlin Notley added: “This innovative approach saw the NHS local stop smoking service, vape retailers and researchers working together, recognising that other forms of smoking cessation support do not work for everyone.
“This scheme enabled 42% of entrenched smokers who redeemed a voucher to have successfully quit smoking at four weeks. This is especially important because it helped those who have tried and failed to quit smoking many times to move away from tobacco.
“Overall, the project was well received by smokers as it offered an affordable route into vaping. GPs supported the scheme and appreciated being able to offer an alternative to entrenched smokers.”
The study was commissioned by Norfolk County Council and published in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research journal.
