Vaping could help smokers quit, but Australian research is still ongoing

Director of advocacy for Cancer Council Australia Paul Grogan said that in Australia the jury is very much still out on the health effects of vaping. 

Mr Grogan said that while he welcomes international research, such as a recent study from Public Health England, Australian researchers are looking at the “whole picture” before they make a determination.

There is convincing evidence, including a meta-analysis in a respected American journal, showing a clear association between e-cigarette initiation and long-term smoking,” he said.

Mr Grogan also said we need to keep in mind how well Australia has done in reducing rates of smoking, as well as keeping in mind that the biggest investors in the e-cigarette sector is the smoke and tobacco industry.

He said that the position of the Cancer Council is very open to evidence-based research, but the emphasis was placed on getting all the facts.

It has deferred to the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Therapeutic Goods Administration to ensure that the final decision is the best one.

“These statutory pillars of the Australian health system are one of the reasons we actually have one of the world’s longest life expectancy, which is just the way we do things,” Mr Grogan said. 

Owner of Wagga business Vaped Lance Carr was not surprised by the findings of the study.

“It gives them the same kind of sensation as a cigarette without all the nasty chemicals,” he said. 

“The success rate is big, it definitely works for all our customers.

“We do get a lot of repeat customers that come back saying they haven't smoked because the e-cigarette is working.”

Mr Carr also said that while some users purchase their e-cigarettes and buy their own nicotine, that’s not the case for the majority. 

“We don’t encourage the use of nicotine because it’s illegal to sell it,” he said.

“For a heavy smoker nicotine is recommended but I was surprised when we first opened, I thought it would have been that the majority needed nicotine in their liquids but it’s the opposite.”