Should e-cigs be prescribed on the NHS?
Health officials have today given their backing to the use of e-cigarettes, claiming the devices are a “game changer in public health”.
Public Health England concludes that E-Cigs are significantly less harmful to health than tobacco and have the potential to help smokers quit smoking.
We want to offer smokers a “range of choices” to help them quit smoking for good, says Professor Kevin Fenton from Public Health England.
Speaking to 5 live Breakfast, he said by licencing and regulating e-cigarettes, the NHS could add them to the “tool kit” to help people give up smoking.
While stressing that e-cigarettes are not free from risk, PHE now believes that e-cigarettes “have the potential to make a significant contribution to the endgame for tobacco”.
“Smoking costs the NHS 2bn a year”, he said, adding that it is a major drain on the service.
What are your views? Should doctors be able to prescribe e-cigs? Have you successfully quit smoking using e-cigs?
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I understand that ecigarettes are also considerably cheaper than cigarettes themselves, so why do they need to be provided for nothing?
I am not sure that e-cigarettes is helpful, as people still have the habit of 'smoking', and I certainly do not think they should be available on the NHS as they are cheaper than cigarettes. If people can afford the high price of cigarettes, they can certainly afford the lower price of e-cigarettes.
I get very excited when they come back to tell me they have stopped smoking and thank you for your help and support!
Will we all have to start funding the healthy eating meals for all the obese people? I could go on - - -.
I agree with all these comments that smokers are better off when they give up smoking and will easily afford the E cigs.
NHS could provide support prog so both parties benefit long term