New research has found vaping is likely to be less addictive than smoking as smokers are more likely to smoke regardless of cost whereas vapers will set a limit on what they are willing to spend on e-cigarettes. The study by LSBU compared the monetary value placed on tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes by cigarette smokers and vapers.
The two central research findings are:
The study was led by Dr Nicky Rycroft, Deputy Head of the Division of Psychology in the School of Applied Sciences and member of the Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research at LSBU.
The popularity of electronic cigarettes in UK has increased by around 400% since 2012, from 700,000 users in 2012 to 3.6 million in 2019. Over 90% of e-cigarette users are current or ex-smokers and e-cigarettes are the most popular method for quitting smoking in the UK.
Dr Nicky Rycroft, Deputy Head of the Division of Psychology at LSBU, said, “Our research has found for the first time that because vapers are more sensitive to rising costs than smokers, vaping is likely to be less addictive than smoking. Vapers are more likely to set a lower limit to spend on e-cigarettes, than smokers who have a higher spending limit for cigarettes.
“As vaping is less harmful and less likely to be addictive than smoking, this research may reassure concerns about continued nicotine addiction when switching from smoking to vaping.
“This world-first research is further evidence of LSBU’s leading role on health and science research in the UK.”