It is often part of the good resolutions of smokers: to get rid of cigarettes. And one of the first reflexes is now to turn to its electronic version. But this week, the High Council of Public Health, the HCSP, made quite nuanced recommendations on this method. The details of Geraldine Zamansky, journalist for the magazine of the Health of France 5.
franceinfo: So finally, is it or not possible to quit smoking through “vaping”?
Geraldine Zamansky: Yes quite. As confirmed to me by Dr Anne-Laurence Le Faou, tobacco specialist, who participated in these recommendations. The nuance you are talking regarding is to limit the place of electronic cigarettes in a medical consultation to stop smoking. And this is because of the lack of scientific studies on their effectiveness.
But, Dr Le Faou told me, the first data shows that it can work when the liquid used contains nicotine. The principle, a little reminder, is that these devices heat this liquid to create vapor rich in nicotine. Once inspired, it would reproduce quite well the effect of a classic cigarette.
But without the carcinogens usually ingested by smokers. There would therefore be a real health benefit if someone regains their daily dose of nicotine by completely quitting tobacco.
But the problem would come from a kind of cohabitation between the two types of cigarettes?
Exactly. And if we keep both, the risks would on the contrary be greater. Because for smokers, the heart of the danger is above all daily intoxication. Going from a whole pack to half a pack a day is not enough. I’m sorry regarding this bad news. This is already real progress. But you really have to see it as a step towards a complete stop. Otherwise, in addition to the harms of smoking, we add the possible unwanted effects of vaping.
Moreover, these effects are not sufficiently evaluated either, according to experts from the High Council of Public Health. This is why they cannot validate the electronic cigarette for pregnant women in these recommendations.
You mean that behind its sweet tastes, all is not rosy in the electronic cigarette?
Absolutely, there may be problems related to the machine and the composition of the liquids. You must therefore be vigilant when purchasing. And you are right, the manufacturers offer liquids with sweet scents. However, caramel or vanilla attract young people who would thus become addicted to nicotine. A nightmare. Some European countries have therefore banned them.
Our experts are asking at least to strengthen the ban on sales to minors. But above all, one should not give up on quitting smoking because of these nuances regarding vaping. This can be a good place to start, and free help is available on the public website Tobacco info service for example.
