Jane Scullion 
Watching someone deal with – or even dying of – a life altering condition is hard.
We know inhaling any hot gases can cause significant damage to the respiratory system, leading to inflammation, airway constriction, and impaired gas exchange, with the severity of the effects dependent on type and concentration of the gas, and length of exposure.
No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe. Unfortunately, nicotine triggers the release of pleasure hormones in the brain, causing one to feel happy and as a result is highly addictive.
After reading this article you:
- will understand a brief history of smoking and vaping
- can reflect on what is needed to tackle nicotine addiction
- can consider brief intervention in your interactions with patients
Smoking and vaping – a brief history
Mankind has a long history of inhaling substances with tobacco, native to the Americas, being used by indigenous peoples for both medicinal and ceremonial purposes for thousands of years.[1] Christopher Columbus brought tobacco to Europe in the 15th century, which quickly spread throughout Europe and beyond.[1]
Unfortunately, it is very addictive, making people dependent on its hit which stimulates the adrenal glands, leading to the release of adrenaline (epinephrine), which increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. This means that it is very hard for the body to adjust to withdrawal symptoms.
Vaping was introduced to the UK in 2005, developed by a Chinese scientist who lost his father to lung cancer.[2] In 2022, UK experts reviewed international evidence and found that ‘’in short and medium-term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking’’.[3] However, in 2024 the World Health Organisation declared vapes were not to be supported as a smoking cessation aid.[4]
The proportion of the population who vaped in 2024 is 10.4%, the highest rate ever, equal to 5.5 million adults in Great Britain with more than half (55%) of current vapers being ex-smokers, equal to 3 million people. This proportion peaked in 2021 at 65%.[5]
Regrettably, vaping also appeals to ‘never smokers’ – especially younger people. By 2023, a significant portion of 11–17-year-olds in the UK had tried vaping, with 7.6% currently vaping and 18% having tried it. Specifically, 4.6% of 11–15-year-olds currently vape, compared to 14% of 16–17-year-olds.[6]
What is needed to tackle nicotine addiction
Government measures to reduce smoking included the smoking ban in places such as pubs, restaurants, planes, and in cars carrying children but more is needed. Disposable vapes will also be banned in the UK as part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping as well as cracking down on underage sales, where the government will bring in new fines.[7]
Considering brief interventions
So, what can we do? The NHS offer local stop smoking services for free and can massively boost a person’s chances of quitting for good.[8]
These services are staffed by expert advisers and provide a range of proven methods to help someone quit. They give accurate information and advice, as well as professional support, during the first few months someone stops smoking.[8]
Take a look at this page for more information.
The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training has a short free available e-learning course that you can access to support your patients too – view here. What we must do is to make every contact count.
As healthcare professionals, we need to be aware of the issues and be open with our patients by supporting them in a non-judgemental way to consider stopping smoking and vaping.
By asking patients if they have thought about stopping, giving advice as to how they might stop, acting on what patients are telling us, whilst recognising this may have to be on several occasions, we might be able to break the cycle of addiction.
[1] Mishra S, Mishra MB. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2013: 3(1): 12-8
[2] OK Vape. A brief history of E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://okvape.co.uk/blog/vaping-beginners/brief-history-of-e-cigarettes/
[3] Vaping myths and facts. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/vaping-myths-and-the-facts/
[4] World Health Organisation. E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/tobacco-e-cigarettes
[5] Action on smoking health. Use of vapes among adults in Great Britain. Available at: https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/use-of-e-cigarettes-among-adults-in-great-britain
[6] Action on smoking health. Use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among young people in Great Britain. Available at: https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Use-of-vapes-among-young-people-GB-2023-v2.pdf?v=1697209531
[7] Disposable vapes banned to protect children’s health. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/disposable-vapes-banned-to-protect-childrens-health
[8] NHS stop smoking services. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/nhs-stop-smoking-services-help-you-quit/
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