Research

Vaping Works


https://iea.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Vaping-Works.pdf

  • There is currently a global debate about the efficacy of vaping in reducing smoking prevalence. While the debate is ongoing, there are imminent events at which vaping will be discussed, including the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, meeting in November (COP9).

  • This paper explores the experience of four countries – France, the UK, New Zealand, and Canada – who have chosen to build upon their existing tough regulation of combustible tobacco products by adopting a harm reduction approach towards electronic cigarettes.

  • The case studies indicate there is clear and comprehensive evidence indicating electronic cigarettes are “95 per cent safer” than combustible tobacco products and are “twice as effective as traditional nicotine replacement therapies”.

  • A supportive approach to electronic cigarettes like the absence of taxes and encouragement from public health officials to use vaping as quit aids leads to a significant decrease in smoking rates.

  • Countries that embrace vaping, such as France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada have witnessed a decrease in smoking rates that is twice as fast as the global average. Although the regulations in these countries can always improve, the effects of this flexible approach to date are very positive and should be mirrored.


This paper was published by The Property Rights’ Alliance, and is also available on their website here.

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Head of Lifestyle Economics, IEA

Christopher Snowdon is the Head of Lifestyle Economics at the IEA. He is the author of The Art of Suppression, The Spirit Level Delusion and Velvet Glove; Iron Fist. His work focuses on pleasure, prohibition and dodgy statistics. He has authored a number of papers, including "Sock Puppets", "Euro Puppets", "The Proof of the Pudding", "The Crack Cocaine of Gambling" and "Free Market Solutions in Health".



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