Up to one million smokers will be encouraged to swap cigarettes for “vapes”, with pregnant women subsidized to switch in this world first, the British government said on Tuesday.
“Up to two out of three lifelong smokers will die from smoking. Cigarettes are the only product on sale which will kill you if used correctly,” Health Minister Neil O’Brien will say in a speech later on Tuesday, the government said.
“We will offer a million smokers new help to quit. We will be funding a new national ‘swap to stop’ scheme—the first of its kind in the world.”
Almost one in five smokers will be given a free vaping starter kit to encourage them to give up tobacco products.
Pregnant women will also be offered up to £400 to help them kick the habit as part of the government’s package of measures.
A consultation will be launched on compelling cigarette manufacturers to put advice on quitting inside packs.
material: Reuters, Vaporvoice