VApril Ends
VApril, the “largest and most successful vape awareness campaign in the world” has come to its conclusion, having placed public education at the top of the agenda
-
by Dave Cross
Share on:
VApril, the “largest and most successful vape awareness campaign in the world” has come to its conclusion, having placed public education at the top of the agenda. In its 8th year, organisers sought to combat “record-high misperceptions about the stop smoking tool”.
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), organisers of VApril, say the annual event came at a critical time for the UK vaping sector, with half of smokers wrongly believing vaping is as harmful – or worse -than smoking.
This year, VApril focussed on dispelling myths, helping smokers make the switch and, critically, emphasising the need for greater public education about vaping as the most effective quitting tool available. The UK Vaping Industry Association made great use of its Twitter/X profile to help do this.
The campaign followed the findings of a Freedom of Information request, which exposed a shocking lack of government investment in stop-smoking campaigns and came ahead of a potential advertising ban under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Also, findings released during April showed that pledged funding for Trading Standards was a) insufficient and b) not forthcoming in the amount promised.
The UKVIA released an expert interview with health psychologist and stop smoking specialist Sairah Salim-Sartoni, sharing the latest evidence on vaping and addressing the dangerous misperceptions which are blocking smokers from making the switch.
The trade body also shared a series of written and video testimonials from real vapers whose lives have been changed by the reduced risk alternative. In addition, UKVIA launched an educational social media campaign to arm smokers with the facts about vaping, rolling out a library of informative guides and infographics in the process.
These guides included:
- A five-step Start Vaping, Stop Smoking plan to help smokers make the switch
- A Stay Smokefree Guide to help disposable users transition to reusables ahead of the June 2025 ban
- A Responsible Vaping Guide to help vapers ensure they are being considerate of those around them
- A 10 Vaping Truths factsheet which breaks down key evidence about vaping
UKVIA Director General John Dunne previously said: “Vaping has played a crucial role in driving UK smoking rates to an all-time low, helping millions finally quit for good. Yet, growing misinformation is stopping it from reaching its full potential in securing a smokefree future. VApril was created as our answer to the need for greater awareness about vaping and it has successfully supported smokers in making the switch for eight years.”
He continued: “To have the best possible chance of helping the remaining six million smokers transition away from cigarettes, the government must invest in public education to correct the narrative surrounding vaping. Smokers deserve to know the facts.”
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 start-ups to develop content for their websites.
