The spread of false information about vaping continues to sow confusion

In the United Kingdom, the mistaken perception that vaping is more harmful than smoking seems to be increasing over time.

Survey of nearly 30,000 smokers
Between sensationalist articles, questionable scientific studies, erroneous reports from organizations, and contested political decisions, there are many reasons for the general public to question the usefulness of electronic cigarettes. Recently, British researchers published a study on the evolution of the perception of vaping among English smokers between 2014 and 2023. The finding is clear: despite growing scientific evidence demonstrating its lower harm compared to smoking and its effectiveness in smoking cessation, the electronic cigarette is increasingly viewed negatively over the years.

Methodology
The researchers used data from a monthly survey conducted in the United Kingdom, with about 1,700 different participants each month. They analyzed the results of this survey between November 2014, when questions about the perception of electronic cigarettes were first introduced, and June 2023, the date of the most recent data available at the start of their study.

In total, responses from 169,433 people were collected. Only the responses of 28,393 smokers were retained, as the researchers focused on the evolution of the perception of vaping among smokers.

An increasingly negative perception over time
According to the researchers, the image of the electronic cigarette has deteriorated over the years. In 2014, 44.4% of smokers considered it less harmful than smoking, but in 2023, this percentage had dropped to 26.7%. At the same time, the number of smokers thinking that vaping is more harmful than smoking rose from 10.8% in 2014 to 33.7% in 2023.
The researchers identify several events that influenced this perception, notably the outbreak of lung diseases (EVALI) in the United States, where the media blamed vaping although it involved illicit products containing dangerous substances. The second major event was the increase in the number of young vapers in the United Kingdom, widely publicized from mid-2021 and exacerbated in the following years.

"These results have major implications for public health. Misperceptions about the risks of electronic cigarettes compared to smoking represent a risk in themselves. If smokers believe that vaping is as harmful or even more harmful than smoking, they will be less inclined to try switching to electronic cigarettes, which will keep them using a more harmful product," the authors emphasize.

Misinformation knows no borders
The case of the United Kingdom is not unique, as in France too, misinformation about vaping is widespread. A survey conducted by the SOVAPE association revealed that 63% of French people feel they have not been properly informed about vaping by health authorities. Moreover, a previous poll showed that 8 out of 10 French people are unaware that vaping is less dangerous than smoking, with a similar proportion even believing that nicotine causes cancer.

These gaps in information, or even this misinformation, are partly due to the anti-vape positions of the WHO, widely followed around the world.