VApril 2024

Vaping Awareness Month

VApril is an annual campaign promoting vaping awareness that takes place in April of every year in the United Kingdom. VApril promotes vaping awareness as a potential tool for smoking cessation. The campaign is organized by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) and various other partners in the vaping industry. Jumponthevape are advocates of VApril and the benefits of using vaping products as a smoking cessation mechanism.

The Main Objectives of VApril are:

• Encouraging traditional cigarette smokers to switch to vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking.
• Help smokers make informed decisions by providing information and support about vaping products and cessation methods.
• Educating about the relative risks and benefits of vaping compared to traditional cigarette smoking.
• Addressing misconceptions and myths surrounding vaping, particularly concerning safety and effectiveness as a smoking cessation aid.
• Promoting responsible vaping practices, including appropriate use of vaping devices and adherence to the relevant regulations.

Methods to Help you Quit Smoking

The most successful methods to help quit smoking can vary depending on individual preferences and habits. Here are some commonly used methods:

1. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): NRT provides controlled doses of nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. Examples include nicotine patches, chewing gum, lozenges, inhalers, tablets, and nasal sprays. NRT helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to quit smoking.

2. E-cigarettes (Vaping): E-cigarettes deliver nicotine in vapor form without the combustion of tobacco, significantly reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. Studies have shown that using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid can be effective, with Public Health England reporting that vaping is more than twice as likely to lead to successful quitting compared to other NRT methods.

3. Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy involves using hypnosis to alter thought patterns and behaviours related to smoking. It aims to reprogram the subconscious mind to reduce cravings and increase motivation to quit smoking.

4. Behavioural Support and Counselling: Counselling sessions, support groups, and behavioural therapy can provide emotional support, coping strategies, and personalized quitting plans to help individuals overcome nicotine addiction.

5. Prescription Medications: Prescription medications like varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Zyban) are effective in alleviating nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They achieve this by specifically targeting nicotine receptors in the brain.

6. Cold Turkey: Some people choose to quit smoking abruptly without using any aids or medications. While this method can be challenging, especially for heavy smokers, it may be successful for individuals with strong willpower and determination.

During VApril, various activities and events are organized across the country, including:

• Vaping awareness campaigns in local communities, workplaces, and various public spaces.
• Workshops and informational sessions led by vaping experts, healthcare professionals, and smoking cessation counsellors to educate and inform.
• Distribution of educational materials, such as brochures, leaflets, and online resources, about vaping.
• Engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for evidence-based vaping regulations that support harm reduction and public health goals in relation to smoking targets.
• Public relations and media initiatives to raise awareness about VApril and vaping in general

Get Involved:

• If vaping has helped you or someone you know, consider joining the VApril campaign.
• Share your story to inspire others to make the switch from smoking to vaping.
• Let’s continue spreading awareness and supporting those seeking a healthier alternative! 

These statements provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape regarding vaping and smoking cessation in Great Britain:

1. Perception of Harm: Four in ten adult smokers in Great Britain mistakenly believe vaping is as harmful as or more harmful than smoking, despite evidence indicating otherwise (Action on Smoking and Health UK, 2023).

2. Harm Reduction: Vaping is estimated to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking, according to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2022).

3. Impact on Smoking Rates: Smoking rates among UK adults have declined to just 12.9%, the lowest levels since records began, with vaping playing a significant role in this decline (Office of National Statistics, 2023).

4. Long-term Vaping: More than half (55%) of current vapers who are ex-smokers in Great Britain have been vaping for over three years, indicating its sustained use as a smoking cessation tool (Action on Smoking and Health UK, 2023).

5. Effectiveness in Quitting Smoking: Stop Smoking Services in 2020 and 2021 found that quit attempts involving a vaping product were associated with the highest quit rates, suggesting vaping's efficacy in smoking cessation (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2022).

6. Lower Exposure to Harmful Substances: Biomarkers associated with the risk of cancer, respiratory, and cardiovascular conditions indicate significantly lower exposure to harmful substances from vaping compared to smoking (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2022).

7. Effectiveness of Nicotine E-cigarettes: Nicotine e-cigarettes are deemed among the most effective stop smoking tools available, according to a Cochrane Review conducted by the University of Oxford and funded by Cancer Research UK (2023).

8. Second-hand Vapor Safety: Cancer Research UK asserts that there is 'no good evidence' indicating that second-hand vapor from e-cigarettes is harmful (2024).

9. Vaping for Smoking Cessation: Almost 4.5 million adults in Great Britain have utilized vaping to reduce or completely stop smoking, indicating its widespread use as a smoking cessation aid (Action on Smoking and Health UK, 2023).

10. Financial Benefits: The average smoker could save at least £1,000 annually by switching to vaping, providing a significant boost to disposable income, particularly in certain regions of the UK.

Conclusion: 

VApril serves as a great opportunity to promote dialogue and understanding about how vaping can be used as a harm reduction tool and the role it plays in tobacco harm reduction strategies. It aims to empower smokers with the benefits of vaping with free information and resources to enable the consumer to make informed choices about their health and well-being. To encourage people to switch from traditional cigarettes to vaping we are offering 15% of all orders during April use code VAPRIL at checkout to receive 15% off your entire order at Jumponthevape.