Tobacco dependency is a long-term relapsing condition that usually starts in childhood. This resource provides valuable information on how you can support patients to quit
Completing the VBA will tell you your patient’s self-reported tobacco status – an important first step.
Evidence-based guide for healthcare professionals who want to do better in treating tobacco dependency
The UK has the largest market for vapes in Western Europe. There has been a rapid increase in use over the last decade and, whilst this has now been stabilised in adults, there has been a sharp rise in usage in 18-24-year-olds from 2020, coinciding with the introduction of disposable and flavoured vapes into the UK, which have been popular and attractive to children and young people. In this position statement we outline the background, key issues and PCRS position on CYP and vaping. As part of this, the Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) advocates that:
The Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) advocates that:vaping should be discouraged among children and young people;accurate information should be available for them, their families, schools and health professionals around the potential risks of vaping, in terms of a gateway product for other addictive behaviours; andthat long-term safety data should be available for this age group in regulated products.
In February 2020, the Institute of Health Equity published its landmark report, Marmot Review 10 Years On. It highlighted that for the first time in 100 years, life expectancy has failed to increase across the country, and for the poorest 10% of women it has actually declined. The report went on to state that in the last decade, health inequalities have widened overall, and the amount of time people spend in poor health has increased since 2010.
E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in recent years. The main reason given by current vapers for using e-cigarettes is to help them stop smoking tobacco. This pragmatic article provides information on the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a stop smoking tool.