The Stroke Association
The Stroke Association has updated its position statement on the use of electronic cigarettes. Based on up to date evidence, it still supports vaping as an alternative to smoking
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by Dave Cross
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The Stroke Association supports people after they suffer a stroke by providing specialist support, funding critical research, and campaigning to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and care to rebuild their lives.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is restricted. Symptoms of a stroke can include the face drooping on one side, the person may be unable to raise both arms and keep them there, speech may become slurred or the person may be unable to talk at all.
Factors linked to strokes include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Obesity
- High cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol intake
The Stroke Association’s latest position statement says: “Current evidence shows that the risk to health posed by e-cigarettes in the short-term is likely to be considerably less compared to conventional smoking. According to an independent evidence review by Public Health England in 2018, e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful to health than normal cigarettes, and when supported by a smoking cessation service, help most smokers to quit tobacco altogether.
“We support the view of Public Health England and other UK public health organisations that smokers should strongly consider the use of e-cigarettes alongside other methods to stop smoking. However, given the unknown long-term health impacts of e-cigarette use, we believe they should only be used by smokers as a route towards stopping smoking completely and we would not recommend their use by non-smokers or those under 18.”
Related:
- The Stroke Association – [link]
- Policy position on electronic cigarettes – [link]
- The NHS’ advice on electronic cigarettes – [link]
- Evidence review of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, PHE – [link]
- E-cigarettes: a developing public health consensus – [link]
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous vape companies to develop content for their websites.
