Stoptober 2017 was a milestone for the e-cigarette industry, as it was the first time in the history of the annual campaign that vaping was officially promoted as a legitimate smoking cessation tool. The announcement came in the same year as tough new TPD regulations, bringing some light to an otherwise difficult year for the industry.
The Stoptober campaign has been a huge success, with vaping companies posting impressive sales of starter kits. However, the success has left experts wondering why the movement is only held for one month each year. The Independent British Vaping Trade Association (IBVTA) is still trying to spread the message, so that smokers can make an informed decision about whether to switch to vaping.
PHE has partnered with IBVTA to create leaflets and online graphics for members to use with the message “Quit smoking with vaping in 2018”. The message is based on the Stoptober campaign slogan, Quit smoking with vaping during Stoptober month.
This underscores the goal of both organizations to introduce e-cigarettes to people who want to quit smoking, helping vape companies gain more customers and ensuring the effectiveness of e-cigarettes, a fact that the vaping community itself has not yet been widely informed about due to the advertising ban.
There is now an e-cigarette section on the NHS support site offering advice to smokers who want to vape to quit smoking as part of PHE’s ‘One You’ campaign. The British Pharmaceutical Association has also come out in support of e-cigarettes after years of opposition, deciding that “doctors and other health professionals should be provided with guidance and information to be able to give sound advice on the safety and effectiveness of the products on offer.”
These things can change people’s views on e-cigarettes. As seen in ASH’s 2017 study, most of the community has a distorted view of vaping as “just as harmful as regular cigarettes.”
IBVTA has just submitted a written request for information on e-cigarettes to the Science and Technology Committee. The document is extremely detailed and will hopefully play a role as the committee sorts through the evidence. This written request explains the importance of addressing misconceptions about e-cigarettes with the public.
IBVTA is dedicated to ensuring that vaping can thrive as it deserves. With an industry that is often under fire, the organisation has provided reassurance to its members and helped them find stability. The good work of the IBVTA continues to help the UK vaping scene continue to grow in the best possible way.
