Summary
Introduction: This text is a summary of a study on the prevalence and attitudes towards e-cigarettes in Great Britain. The study used data from three surveys conducted in 2010 and 2012, with a total of over 25,000 participants. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of e-cigarette use and assess attitudes, beliefs, trial, and current usage of e-cigarettes among smokers and ex-smokers.
Key Points:
* The study found that awareness, trial, and current use of e-cigarettes increased significantly between 2010 and 2012.
* In 2012, 6.7% of smokers reported current use of e-cigarettes, more than double the rate in 2010.
* Approximately one-third of ever-users were currently using e-cigarettes in both 2010 and 2012.
* In 2012, 1.1% of ex-smokers and 0.5% of never-smokers reported current use of e-cigarettes.
* The study found that e-cigarette use may be a bridge to quitting smoking, but there is little evidence of e-cigarette use among those who have never smoked.
* The study suggests that British smokers would benefit from information about the effective use, risks, and benefits of e-cigarettes.
Main Message: The study highlights the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes in Great Britain and the potential for e-cigarettes to be a bridge to quitting smoking. However, the study also emphasizes the need for more information about the risks and benefits of e-cigarettes to be made available to smokers. The study suggests that the failure to support and educate smokers on the effective use, risks, and benefits of e-cigarettes may represent a lost opportunity for public health. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the use and attitudes towards e-cigarettes in Great Britain, which can inform regulatory decisions and public health policy.
Citation
Dockrell, M., R. Morrison, L. Bauld, and A. McNeill. “E-Cigarettes: Prevalence and Attitudes in Great Britain.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 15, no. 10 (October 1, 2013): 1737–44. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntt057.
