13 April 2023

CNWL has welcomed the launch of a ‘swap to stop’ smoking scheme that will encourage people to replace their cigarettes with vapes.

As part of the initiative, almost 20 percent of all smokers in England will be offered a vape starter kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit tobacco. 

CNWL runs smoking support services in Camden, Islington and Hillingdon and Sue Murphy, Stop Smoking Lead, hopes the new scheme will help more people leave cigarettes behind.

She said: “We are delighted to hear of the proposed innovative offer of free vape starter kits for one million cigarette smokers nationwide and financial incentives and contingency management for pregnant women – one of our high priority and targeted groups.  

“The clients in all our stop smoking services will benefit from the increased accessibility of vapes, which are widely recognised as an effective part of nicotine replacement therapy to help adult smokers quit.

“In addition to the incentives attracting more pregnant women into treatment, the scheme will help smokers to stop smoking, reduce smoking health harms and inequality and ensure residents stay healthy, giving children the best start in life.”

Quitting smoking can cut the risk of a heart attack in half after one year and going through your pregnancy smoke-free significantly reduces the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. Indeed, up to two-thirds of lifelong smokers will die due to smoking.

If you live in Hillingdon, Camden or Islington and would like help quitting, please click below for more information on how CNWL can help.