New Poll Shows Support for Vaping

A new poll for the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) shows that Scots think quitting smoking by vaping e-cigarettes should be encouraged, and that they think vaping is much safer than smoking cigarettes.

The research also shows that:

• E-cigarette users choose the products because they are cheaper and less harmful, and because they help them stop smoking

• Vapers are increasingly choosing to buy e-cigarettes from local stores rather than the internet

• Only 1 in 6 people, including non-smokers and non-vapers, want to make accessing vapes harder (around half want to make it easier)

The polling comes in the wake of a Scottish Government consultation which proposes that in-store promotional displays of e-cigarettes should be banned.

The poll, carried out by the Diffley Partnership, asked more than 2,000 people for their views on smoking and vaping. Just under half of those surveyed are current or ex-smokers, and around one in five are current or ex-users of e-cigarettes.

SGF is the voice of Scotland’s convenience stores. While its members sell both cigarettes and e-cigarettes, they are committed to playing their part in making Scotland smoke-free by 2034 by continuing with the responsible sale and promotion of vapour products.

Retired bricklayer James Donaldson, 75, has not touched a cigarette since the day he turned to vapes 18 months ago, having suffered three heart attacks. James said:

“Why would the Government want to stop people from vaping? It might be better for them than smoking. I feel better. I don’t get as many chest infections as I used to.

“When I started vaping, I stopped smoking straight away. This is the longest I’ve ever gone without smoking - and I’ve tried everything else.

“I knew it was killing me. I’ve been in and out of hospital in the past few years and knew I had to do something. I think vaping’s better for me than cigarettes.”

James is also saving more than £6,000 per year by vaping instead of smoking.

Dr John Lee, SGF’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said:

“Scots - both smokers and non-smokers alike - are giving the thumbs up to e-cigarettes. This is important evidence from the real world which backs up the view of NHS Scotland that vaping is much less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

“Vapers are telling us that they are turning to e-cigarettes because they are safer, cheaper and more likely to lead to them quitting for good.

“Our member convenience stores want to play their part in the massive effort needed to switch smokers to vaping and make Scotland smoke free by 2034.

“It is great news that double the number of respondents are buying their e-cigarettes from convenience stories than were doing so a year ago. Not only is buying in one of our member’s stories good for the local economy, it also helps the vaper know what they are buying.

“The Scottish Government wants to make Scotland smoke-free by 2034 - they have the route to achieving that right in front of them.”