RCP report calls for e-cigarettes to be promoted as smoking alternative

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has called for e-cigarettes to be utilised as a tool to help smokers to kick the habit.

A report from the organisation has studied the available evidence and concluded that e-cigarettes are likely to be beneficial to UK public health, meaning smokers can be encouraged to use them, while the public can be reassured of their safety.

In the view of the RCP, there is no evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes are a gateway to smoking or result in the normalisation of the habit, with their use limited almost entirely to those who have already smoked tobacco at some point.

It was also determined that e-cigarette use is likely to lead to quit attempts that would not otherwise have happened, while the risk of them carrying long-term health risks is very low.

As such, proportionate regulation was called for, but in such a way as to ensure it does not significantly inhibit the development and use of harm-reduction products by smokers.

RCP president Professor Jane Dacre said: "With careful management and proportionate regulation, harm reduction provides an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people. It is an opportunity that, with care, we should take."