Following the outbreak of lung disease in the US, many UK health organisations have released statements reiterating their stance on vaping and reassuring the public about the safety of vaping. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) are the latest authority to publish their advice.
The difference between the US and the UK
Like many, RCP have started their brief by outlining the differences between regulations in the US and the UK, and expressing that the illness and also underage vaping experienced by the US is extremely unlikely to be mirrored in the UK.
Here in the UK vaping products are strictly regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and things like nicotine content, bottle size and tank capacity are subject to restrictions. Vaping retailers vigilantly check the ID of customers, with initiatives such as ‘Think 25’, asking to see identification from any customers who appear to be under the age of 25. Those who are unable to produce valid ID will have the sale refused, cutting down on underage and proxy sales. In addition, advertising legislation also restricts the way in which vaping products can be marketed in media and print.
These regulations have meant vaping has been embraced by the UK for its intended purpose, as a stop smoking aid, rather than the latest ‘fad’. This has allowed health authorities such as RCP to endorse e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to smoking, and has meant that underage e-cigarette use remains extremely low year on year. Unfortunately, vaping is not yet regulated in this manner in the US, and youth vaping is very high across the states.
The recent outbreak of lung disease has been found to be as a result of vaping THC e-liquids, primarily purchased through the black market and containing the cutting and thickening agent vitamin E acetate. THC is the part of the cannabis plant that gets users ‘high’, cannabis is legal in some US states, but not all, and is completely illegal in the UK. This is not to say that THC e-liquids may not be available in the UK, however we have not experienced any incidents like the ones in the US.
RCP advice
RCP express that their advice regarding vaping remains unchanged, while vaping is not completely risk-free, it is far safer than combustible tobacco products. They urge current vapers who have successfully made the switch from smoking to vaping not to let the US incidents deter them from continuing to pursue a successful stop smoking attempt with the help of an e-cigarette, and to only discontinue use if they experience any adverse effects.
In the unlikely event that adverse effects are experienced, it is advised that the users speaks to their doctor, and registers their concerns via the MHRA yellow card scheme.
They also express the importance of purchasing e-cigarettes and e-liquids from reputable retailers, buying legitimate products that have been subject to the appropriate tests and regulations, and to always avoid black market products which could be extremely harmful.
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