The Stroke Association has updated its position statement on the use of electronic cigarettes. It still supports vaping as an alternative to smoking based on the latest evidence from the National Health Service and Public Health England.
The Stroke Association supports people after they suffer a stroke by providing specialist support, funding critical research, and campaigning to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and care to rebuild their lives.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is restricted. Symptoms of a stroke can include the face drooping on one side, the person may be unable to raise both arms and keep them there, speech may become slurred or the person may be unable to talk at all.
Factors linked to strokes include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Obesity
- High cholesterol levels
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol intake
The Stroke Association’s latest position statement says: “Current evidence shows that the risk to health posed by e-cigarettes in the short-term is likely to be considerably less compared to conventional smoking. According to an independent evidence review by Public Health England in 2018, e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful to health than normal cigarettes, and when supported by a smoking cessation service, help most smokers to quit tobacco altogether.
“We support the view of Public Health England and other UK public health organisations that smokers should strongly consider the use of e-cigarettes alongside other methods to stop smoking. However, given the unknown long-term health impacts of e-cigarette use, we believe they should only be used by smokers as a route towards stopping smoking completely and we would not recommend their use by non-smokers or those under 18.”
Source: planetofthevapes