E-cigarettes could be prescribed by NHS in world first
Decision ‘has the potential to tackle the stark disparities in smoking rates across England’, says health secretary
England could become the first country in the world to prescribe medicinally licensed e-cigarettes to cut smoking rates.
Fresh guidance from the medicines regulator paves the way for vaping products to be prescribed on the NHS to tobacco smokers.
E-cigarettes were the most popular aid used by smokers trying to quit in England last year, and health chiefs say they have led to some of the highest success rates, alongside local “stop smoking” services, with up to 68 per cent successfully quitting.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies