Vaping - the electronic alternative to smoking

Wednesday was national No Smoking Day, when people were encouraged to give up cigarettes through various methods, including nicotine replacement therapy.  But how many people have heard about electronic cigarettes and vaping? 

A smoker from Alston who has enthusiastically embraced electronic cigarettes is Alix Maetin, who said: "I've been a smoker for 45 years, and I absolutely didn't want to give up even though I'd had some bad news from the doctor.  Then a friend of mine told me about electronic cigarettes.  They sounded a credible alternative, so I went through the snow to buy some from the local town.  I took my first drag and thought 'that'll do, this is something that could work!' Three months later and I haven't looked back."

"I've saved a fortune, lost my smoker's cough, I feel healthier, my clothes and home don't smell at all and I can smoke in the pub!"

"I'm so thrilled with them that a couple of friends and I are hosting an event at the Alston House Hotel, Alston, to mark the World Vaping Day.  We are encouraging dedicated smokers to come along and either learn more about vaping or just sit inside have a drink and vape.  Our aim for this event is to show smokers that there is an alternative that does not involve a huge amount of willpower and cuts out the withdrawal symptoms associated with giving up.  We want to encourage as many as we can to make the change and feel the benefits as we have."

"Vaping is an affordable and safer alternative to smoking cigarettes.  It provides the user with all the sensations they are used to without any of the harmful effects.  A few things people prefer about vaping are - no stale clothes smells, no bad breath, it is allowed on all public transport, and in pubs, clubs and restaurants because there is no smoke or burning, it is just vapour.  Also, there is no risk of second-hand smoke and it's completely safe, even in the home"

Professor John Britton, director of the UKCTCS and chair of the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Advisory Group, said that e-cigarettes had the potential to save millions of lives.  "The likelihood is that smoking electronic cigarettes is better than smoking tobacco.  The concept of nicotine replacement is powerful and good".

Cumberland & Westmorland Herald
Sat 17, March 2012