Tobacco smoking rates have declined dramatically in Australia over the past few years. Australians are lighting up fewer cigarettes than ever, to the extent that the number of daily smokers has nearly halved over the past 20 years. That’s great news for our society, and it proves that our public health campaigns really are effective.
Of course, it’s easy to see why so many people are keen to give up smoking in the first place. One after another study confirms the fatal effects of smoking – from heart disease to lung cancer. No one wants to resign themselves to such a negative prognosis. And that’s without even considering how expensive a habit tobacco use has become in recent years. Quitting smoking means more than merely living a healthier life. It also means having more disposable income in your pocket.
But quitting is a major undertaking, and plenty of smokers struggle. That’s why the advent of the e-cigarette has been such a positive thing for smokers who genuinely want to quit. For a person addicted to smoking, an e-cigarette provides a desirable alternative. It allows you to continue with the habit of smoking whilst steadily stepping down your nicotine consumption, without actually exposing your body to all of the harmful chemicals, carcinogens and toxins found in cigarette smoke.
This makes the prospects of quitting much more manageable. For this reason, vaping has become one of the most effective cessation tools ever developed – much more effective than nicotine patches or gum. Even so, the medical community has largely advised people to exercise caution. That’s what makes a recent study on the issue so important.
Vaping Could Dramatically Cut Down on Toxins in the Body
The research in question was carried out at University College London. In this study, scientists examined two groups of participants. Both began as smokers, but one group quit smoking and only vaped for a period of at least six months. The other group continued to smoke.
Researchers then analysed the saliva and urine of both groups of people to look for carcinogens and other toxins that are known to be harmful. Those who had completely quit smoking, but still continued to vape, had far lower levels of toxins in their bodies than those who smoked (as well as those who vaped and smoked concurrently).
Lead author of the study, Dr Lion Shabab, had this to say:
“Our study adds to existing evidence showing that e-cigarettes and NRT are far safer than smoking, and suggests that there is a very low risk associated with their long-term use… Our results also suggest that while e-cigarettes are not only safer, the amount of nicotine they provide is not noticeably different to conventional cigarettes. This can help people to stop smoking altogether by dealing with their cravings in a safer way.”
This is exciting news for those who have successfully used vaping to quit smoking, as they can rest assured that they truly have taken steps to improve their overall health.
