Esigbond says: “This is the outcome of a large survey among 2,981 Dutch e-cigarette users by consumer organisation Acvoda and trade association Esigbond. On average, vapers attempted 5.1 cessation attempts before switching from regular cigarettes to the e-cigarette. Furthermore, almost nine out of ten vapers experience health improvements such as a better condition and less coughing after switching. The Netherlands has about 400 thousand e-cigarette users who are on average 45 years old.”
They says that the desire to quit is the most important reason for switching: “The vast majority of e-cigarette users have switched because they want a less harmful alternative to smoking regular cigarettes (63%) or because they want to quit smoking (54%). Of those surveyed, 46% believe they would not have been able to quit smoking without an e-cigarette. Also, 81% of vapers say that flavours in e-cigarettes have played an important role in their switch from regular cigarettes to the e-cigarette.”
The survey highlighted a history of failure using other methods of quitting:
- More than three quarters of vapers have tried other smoking cessation aids before switching, but they are very dissatisfied with them
- Former smokers are most negative about nicotine chewing gum (44%), followed by nicotine patches (43%) and nicotine sprays (28%)
“This explains why many quit attempts with these products have failed in the past. Over 31% of respondents said they had started smoking again after stopping with the help of nicotine gum, sprays or patches.”
The organisations say the survey also found that nearly all e-cigarette users (96%) smoked before starting vaping. In fact, the majority (70%) of vapers were heavy smokers, smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day.
Furthermore, it transpired that not all e-cigarette users have managed to completely switch to vaping as 13% stated they still smoke some form of a tobacco product.
More than 90% of e-cigarette users said they experienced health benefits from switching. This included:
- A decrease in coughing (70%)
- A general improved condition (69%)
- Improved sense of smell or taste (64%)
- Less shortness of breath (62%)
About 29% of e-cigarette users say their health improvement has also been confirmed by a doctor.
Emil ‘t Hart, the chairperson of the vapour shop trade association Esigbond said: “This study shows that many ex-smokers would actually continue to smoke if it were not for the e-cigarette. We also see that the e-cigarette is much more appreciated by smokers than other cessation aids.
“Flavours in e-cigarettes explain part of the success, as for many quitters, the flavours are essential in switching from the regular cigarette to the less harmful e-cigarette.
“This research shows that the e-cigarette deserves a place in anti-smoking policy and that it is very unwise to make the e-cigarette unattractive by banning flavours.”
News from:https://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/news/health-studies/2022-02-01_striking-dutch-survey.html