* In an experiment implemented for the first time in the world
Ammon – In front of the problem of the desire to stop smoking and the inability to do so through traditional methods, the British government did not stand idly by in encouraging the path towards stopping, despite all the positive results it achieved through its implementation years ago of the policy of reducing tobacco harm, which proved its effectiveness by reducing smoking. The number of smokers is significant.
An initiative by which the British government appeared to the world to lead an experiment that is the first of its kind, following its success over the past decade by recording promising numbers. This initiative was represented in approving a new package of measures stimulating the shift to alternative products and making traditional cigarettes a thing of the past, the most important of which is providing one million smokers in England with a set of electronic smoking tools, at a rate of 1 in 5 smokers who will get this set, with determination to implement the initiative The ‘switch to stop and quit’ will be widely used over the next two years to reduce the burden on the NHS of absorbing the challenges associated with traditional smoking.
As part of its initiative, the British government stated through its Minister of Health, Neil O’Brien, that this plan will be implemented and its progress monitored under its supervision, while a campaign will be implemented to prevent the illegal sale of alternative products using the “Vape” technology to those under the age of eight. ten.
Through this initiative and the scheme, the British government and its Ministry of Health express their strong commitment to achieving a smoke-free country by 2030; Its initiative is part of its goal, which is in line with the objectives of the Public Health Authority and the ASH anti-smoking campaigns, aiming to reduce the proportion of smokers to 5% or less of the population from the current rate of 13%, which is the lowest ever in the world, while providing Financial incentives for pregnant women who quit smoking at a value of £400, as well as providing behavioral support to help quit smoking among the target groups within the initiative, which local governments will be free to determine.
This surprising initiative comes at a time when one million Britons are trying to quit smoking traditional cigarettes as part of their decision for the year 2023, according to what was issued by the Center for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) in a report on “Assessing the Economic Impact of the Electronic Cigarette Industry”, and it also comes to boost the rates of Transformation given that traditional tobacco smoking is still the main cause of disease and associated mortality, which can be reduced or prevented; As many as 2 out of 3 smokers die from long-term traditional smoking.
Forecasts, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom, indicate a decrease in half in the incidence of smoking-related diseases as a result of the application of this initiative, such as the incidence of angina pectoris and heart attacks among users of the electronic smoking kit, who switch with it from traditional smoking, after one year of conversion. .
The initiative and its campaign on sales of alternative products, including electronic cigarettes, are accompanied by a parallel campaign to raise awareness about how to reduce the spread of electronic cigarettes among underage people, by focusing on how to design, photograph and market alternative product packaging on social media.
NHS figures show that 9% of young people aged 11-15 in Britain used e-cigarettes in 2021, up from 6% in 2018.
In a statement about this initiative, Minister of Health O’Brien said: “Traditional cigarettes are the only product offered for sale that kills its consumer. Through our initiative, we will provide one million smokers with new aids to quit smoking and preserve their health. In this context, we will finance the implementation of a national campaign, the first of which Under the slogan ‘Transformation for the ultimate stop and quit’, it is collaborating with health boards and stakeholders to provide alternative products and free vaping kits to one million adult smokers across England.”
It is noteworthy that alternative products, including electronic cigarettes, are the most effective means in helping smokers to quit consuming traditional cigarettes with scientific and proven evidence, beyond the impact of nicotine products such as patches and chewing gum, according to a review conducted by Cochrane, which is an independent global network composed of elite researchers and professionals. caregivers and health-conscious persons.
