GP Urges Government to follow UK & help smokers quit with vaping
Vapers ask ‘Is the Government Listening to 200,000 people?’
Vapers are one of the biggest contributors in fight against tobacco
Rachel Murphy and Richard Curtin from Dublin supporting ‘Say No to Tobacco’ campaign launched by Respect Vapers, representing Ireland’s 200,000 vapers, the majority of whom have quit smoking. Vapers represent one of the largest groups in Ireland contributing to tobacco harm reduction. They want to be heard as 200,000 can’t be wrong. They say restricting access to vaping is ‘the wrong law at the wrong time with unintended damaging consequences’ and this is confirmed in a recent survey.
Government must embrace vaping as a proven method of helping people give up tobacco, according to the Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic, a private addiction treatment clinic in Dublin.
Dr Garrett McGovern, who is also a member of the board of directors of EUROPAD (European Opiate Addiction Treatment Association), said there was significant evidence that the 200,000 Irish vapers, the majority of whom quit smoking, are the first wave of an army of ex-smokers who contributed greatly to the Government’s Tobacco Free Ireland plan.
“Medical opinion, including those of Royal College of Physicians in UK, points to the suggestion that vaping helps smokers give up their habit. In doing so, they reduce the harm caused by smoking-induced cancer. It is time for the Government to follow the UK approach.
“NHS experts say vaping is much less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Patients at hospitals in Norfolk, London, Leicester and Edinburgh are now to be offered a vaping device, enough e-liquid for a week and a referral to local smoking cessation services. The plan is part of a trial designed to help people quit smoking altogether,” he said.
He was speaking at the launch of the ‘Vapers say No to Tobacco’ campaign and the publication of independent research*.
Rachel Murphy and Richard Curtin from Dublin supporting ‘Say No to Tobacco’ campaign launched by Respect Vapers, which represents over 200,000 people, the majority of whom quit smoking.
Three regional focus group sessions, carried out this month, found:
- A growing perception across Ireland that politicians have lost a connection with the people and failed to listen to them;
- A feeling that Government was tying up Dàil time on non-essential ’PR wins’, deflecting from the important issues including housing, COVID, mental health and jobs;
- Both vapers and non-vapers believe that restricting access to vaping was the wrong law at the wrong time with unintended damaging consequences.
Michael Dwyer from Gorey Co. Wexford, successfully quit smoking by vaping, and argues that this Government’s approach is misguided.
“Politicians must understand that vaping is NOT smoking and vapers are quitters, not starters. The majority of people who vape are over 35. They have tried everything to quit, including patches, gums and sprays, without success.
“In effect this growing group of over 200,000 are saying ‘No to Tobacco’ every day in Ireland,” he said.
Vaping products are strictly regulated in Europe and Ireland. All products are cleared by the HSE before going on sale. They are 70% more effective in supporting smokers to successfully quit than patches, sprays and gums.
Mr Joe Dunne, Founder of Respect Vapers, said it’s now time to embrace the benefits of vaping in order to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and to help thousands quit the habit.
Respect Vapers are urging others to ‘say no to tobacco’ at the weekend as World Vaping Day is on Sunday, 30th May and World No Tobacco Day is Monday 31st May.
You can join them by liking the ‘Say No To Tobacco’ campaign on Twitter at @RespectVapers and on facebook.com/RespectVapersIreland.
Front row, left to right: Amy Murphy and Rachel Murphy. Back row, left to right: Gavin Redmond and Richard Curtin
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*Focus group sessions carried out by Sentio.
