‘Advice from specialist vape retail stores helped first time vaper to quit smoking’

The recent study by UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has revealed that a good advice has helped 57 per cent of smokers quit smoking successful.

According to the study 48 per cent of respondent said that specialist vape retail stores were the main source of advice.

However, the research conducted by the UKVIA into the level, quality and source of advice that vapers received when they were trying to quit smoking also revealed that there is significant room for improvement in terms of the guidance that smokers can access when making a life changing decision to give up their habit.

It was found that in terms of quality of advice, 54.4 % of those who had bought their first vape from a specialist vape store said that the support they received was extremely informative and supportive and this compared with online retail (25%), convenience stores (14.8%) and supermarkets (14.3%).

John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA, said: “The research clearly shows the value that vapers place on the advice they received at the outset in helping them switch over from conventional cigarettes. It also highlights that the vast majority of established vapers believe that good advice around the transition to vaping will heighten the chances of smokers quitting their habits in the future. Yet despite this evidence, good advice was seen to be sorely lacking in some areas when smokers were looking to make a decision about vaping as their preferred quit method.

“There is a real need for the retail sector and all those who are there to support adult smokers turn a corner in terms of their health – from stop smoking services and the healthcare community, to families, friends and the existing vaping community – to steer them to make the best decision about vape devices, nicotine levels and flavours that will lead them to eventually becoming ex-smokers.”

Doug Mutter, a director at VPZ, a major manufacturer and retailer of vape products, “There is a saying in the industry “get the right advice and get the right device”. Everyone is different and there is not a one size fits all solution. Professional support up front is the key – it’s why we set up Vape Clinics in our stores across the UK to provide such high level advice from those who have been there and done it before.”

The research was undertaken during VApril, the largest education campaign for smokers interested in using vaping as a quit method. Coordinated by the UKVIA, it is now run worldwide during April.