STOP SMOKING, START VAPING

Calling all Dorset Smokers: swap from cigarettes to a FREE vape kit and go smoke-free

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‘Swap 2 Stop’ is a new nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to make the switch from smoking to vaping to improve their health. Smokers are addicted to nicotine, not tobacco. It’s the tar and toxic chemicals produced in tobacco smoke that kills, so switching from smoking to vaping is a positive health move. 

Check you are eligible

Swap to stop is for adults aged 18 years and over who are smokers and have a Dorset or BCP Council area postcode. It is strictly limited to one free vape kit per person and claims are monitored. If you live in a household that requires multiple vapes, please call our team on 0800 840 1628 for help to order.

Need a little extra help to get started?

If you are unable to sign up for your pack online and need someone to do this for you, our friendly advisor team is here to help: call 0800 840 1628. Our lines are open  Monday - Friday, 9am - 6:30pm

How it works

Once you have  signed up for Swap 2 Stop and been successfully accepted onto the six-week programme, you will  receive a voucher code  and a link to the Totally Wicked online vape shop where you can  use the code to buy a free vape starter kit , including four weeks worth of liquids and atomisers.

What you'll get

The vape is a Tornado GTL which has three power settings and is easy to use, featuring push-fit coils, a sliding top filling pod, and USB-C quick charge. It can be personalised with different colours and e-liquid flavours, and is a great choice for new vapers. You will also receive 10 e-liquids and 2 atomisers.

The programme

Once you have your vape you will be sent a link to our online support page where you'll find lots of helpful information including:

• instructions on how to set up your vape
• stop smoking videos full of tips and advice from our coaching team
• a link to download the My Quit Route app to track your progress
• stop smoking stories and articles to inspire you

Once you have downloaded the My Quit app you can set a quit date for giving up smoking in two weeks time. This gives you a chance to get totally familiar with your vape and start to prepare for your smoke-free journey by filling in some of the useful tracking options on the My Quit Route app. Ready?

Week 1-4

Stop smoking, start vaping! Remember to keep track on your My Quit Route App and listen to the support videos from coach Andrea as she keeps you motivated and guides you through some of the stumbling blocks and barriers you may face. Together, you've got this! And don't forget, if you get really stuck, you can talk to the friendly LiveWell Dorset team - we are right behind you every step of the way.

Week 5+6

After four weeks we will be in touch via text or email to see how you are getting on. This will be done automatically. There is no need to get in touch with us or fill out another application form. Within that text or email there will be a short feedback form to complete before you receive a voucher for your final two week top-up pack of liquids and atomisers. And remember, our team is on hand to help if you are struggling or feel you need more support to quit smoking.

Vaping to quit smoking: the facts

You might have heard lots of different things about vaping in the media. Here, we clear up the facts about vaping, based on scientific evidence. In 2021, only 34% of adults who smoked believed that vaping was less harmful than smoking. It’s important that people who smoke understand the difference in health risk to support them to quit.

FACT: Non-smokers shouldn’t start vaping

The evidence is clear that vaping is a healthier alternative for people who smoke. Vaping isn’t entirely risk-free and nicotine is addictive, so it is only recommended for adult smokers to support them to quit smoking.

FACT: Vaping is much less harmful to your health than smoking

Evidence shows vaping is much less harmful to health than smoking tobacco. That’s why it’s a good thing to switch from smoking to vaping. Tobacco smoke from cigarettes contains thousands of toxic chemicals that can cause serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, lung disease and stroke. The vast majority of these aren’t found in e-cigarette vapour, so by switching completely from smoking to vaping, you’ll be exposing yourself to significantly fewer harmful substances.

It is these chemicals in the tobacco smoke, not the nicotine, that cause almost all the harm to health. Nicotine replacement has been used safely and effectively in stop-smoking support for years.

We don’t encourage anyone who doesn’t smoke to start vaping because it’s not completely risk-free.

FACT: Vaping is one of the most effective ways to quit smoking

Evidence shows that nicotine vapes are more effective than other nicotine replacement therapies, and they are a very popular way to quit. It has been estimated that there are up to 50,700 additional quitters a year in England because of them. Some people find that vaping works for them because it replicates many of the habits of smoking, like the hand-to-mouth action. With our Swap 2 Stop offer, you get extra advice and resources through LiveWell Dorset to support you on your quit journey.

FACT: You should vape as much as you need to avoid temptation to smoke

Each time you draw on a vape, you’re exposing yourself to a fraction of the toxic chemicals you would each time you drew on a cigarette. Generally it takes longer for nicotine to reach the brain with vaping compared to smoking, so you may need to vape more frequently. You should vape as much as you need to avoid being tempted to smoke. You’ll only get the full benefits by switching to vaping completely. You can look to quit vaping once you’re sure you won’t return to smoking.

FACT: Vapes are tightly regulated in the UK

In the UK, vaping products are tightly regulated for safety and quality. All vape products for sale must be notified to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) with detailed information including all ingredients.

The vape kits in our Swap 2 Stop offer come from Totally Wicked Vapes. They have a rigorous testing programme to ensure their products meet premium standards. If you are purchasing your own vaping products, make sure you get yours from a reputable supplier like a specialist vape shop, pharmacy, supermarket or a UK-based online retailer so they are covered by UK safety and quality regulations.

FACT: There is no evidence that vaping is harmful to people around you

It is very clear from scientific evidence that exposure to second hand smoke from tobacco smoking is very harmful. In contrast, the evidence so far tells us there are no risks from passive vaping to the health of people around you. The vast majority of toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke are not present in e-cigarette vapour, so it’s better for you and those around you to swap from smoking to vaping.

FACT: There is no evidence that vaping causes ‘popcorn lung’

Some people have questions about whether vaping causes damage to your lungs, through conditions like ‘popcorn lung’. Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) is an uncommon type of lung disease. The disease was found in a group of factory workers exposed to a chemical (diacetyl) used to flavour popcorn. Diacetyl is contained in cigarette smoke, but it is banned as an ingredient in UK-regulated nicotine vapes and e-liquids.

Sources:

Vaping myths and the facts - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

The Truth About Vaping - Yorkshire Cancer Research

Is vaping harmful? | Vaping side effects | Cancer Research UK

Still not sure? Want to talk?

Get in touch with our friendly team  if you have any other questions not answered in our FAQs or want help deciding whether switching to vaping is right for you.