Summary
Introduction:
This article reports on a study of vape shops in the East Midlands region of the UK, which aimed to survey the products and services offered, including smoking cessation advice, and the patterns of tobacco and e-cigarette use and sociodemographic characteristics of their customers. The study consisted of surveys of shop staff and customers in a random sample of 65 vape shops.
Key Points:
* The study found that the majority of vape shop customers are vapers who have quit smoking.
* Shop staff play a central role in providing customers with product information, and many provide smoking cessation advice.
* There is a need for clear and easily accessible information on the health effects and effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, to ensure that vape shop staff provide customers with accurate information on their products.
* Further research is needed to investigate the potential for smoking cessation interventions in vape shops, including the extent to which this type of intervention would appeal to non-vapers and how and by whom it would best be delivered.
Main Message:
The study highlights the potential role of vape shops in promoting smoking cessation and reducing harm from tobacco use. However, it also underscores the need for clear and accurate information on the health effects and effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, as well as further research on the potential for smoking cessation interventions in vape shops. The study suggests that vape shop staff could play a central role in providing customers with product information and smoking cessation advice, but there is a need for clear guidelines and training to ensure that this information is accurate and evidence-based. Overall, the study supports the potential of vape shops as a harm reduction strategy for smokers, but highlights the need for further research and regulation to ensure the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
Citation
Pattinson, Julie, Sarah Lewis, Manpreet Bains, John Britton, and Tessa Langley. “Vape Shops: Who Uses Them and What Do They Do?” BMC Public Health 18, no. 1 (December 2018): 541. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5467-9.
