We all know the dangers of smoking – and it’s truly pleasing to see that Australian smokers are kicking the habit in spades compared to the previous decade. Although quitting smoking is never ‘easy’, with the increasing costs to smoke and the availability of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other stop-smoking tools, it’s easier to take the first steps toward your quit journey.One other significant reason for smoking’s decline are nicotine vaping products (NVPs). Are these similar to smoking? More importantly, is it better or worse than smoking?Let’s answer these questions with the current available data and research in today’s post.Smoking…

Non-therapeutic nicotine vaping products (NVPs) sold outside of pharmacies are now illegal according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)’s new regulations, but it doesn’t mean NVPs have been removed from Australia entirely. Today, motivated smokers have a legal pathway towards using NVPs for smoking cessation – by obtaining a prescription to purchase NVPs from pharmacies. Unlike non-therapeutic vapes, pharmacy-sold NVPs are responsibly made and used solely for smoking cessation. With thorough inhalation safety tests and compliance to medical and GMP manufacturing practices, you’re using a tool intended to help you stop smoking for good. There’s probably some questions on your…

Key takeaways Smoking suppresses appetite, leading to lower weight. Quitting smoking reveals poor eating habits. Improved taste, smell increase food appeal. Fear of weight gain deters quitting. Nutritional support aids successful quitting attempts. According to a large-scale cross-sectional study of 80,000 adults, people who smoke tend to have lower body weight and develop poor eating habits that lead to weight gain once they quit.Why do people who stop smoking gain significant weight? Researchers at Loughborough University and the University of Leicester, UK, may have an answer. In a paper presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, Italy on…

Cost was one of the most cited motives to quit by 1 in 4 UK smokers, a five-year analysis of survey data spanning the years of the pandemic reveals.The cost of a ciggie appears to be a strong motivation for quitting smoking for many English smokers, alongside current future health concerns and existing health problems.An analysis of survey data between 2018 to 2023 published by University College London (UCL) in leadings journal BMJ Public Health revealed that, aside from health concerns, many smokers choose to quit to realise savings from the expense of smoking.Seeking to understand how the global pandemic…

Australian health ministers stand in support of a bill that will see the ban on domestic manufacture and supply, distribution, advertisement, and commercial possession of non-therapeutic vapes.“If vapes are therapeutic goods then it is entirely appropriate that Australia should regulate them as therapeutic goods, instead of allowing them to be sold alongside chocolate bars in convenience stores, often down the road from schools,” their joint statement said.According to the country’s health ministers, their unanimous support of the Vaping Products Bill, which is currently before the Senate, shows that they are “not going to stand by and let our kids get…

Nicotine vaping products (NVPs) could be the best tool that any motivated smoker can use to quit the habit, according to a commentary published in Nature Medicine.Health experts from Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center, working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urge the use of NVPs as stop-smoking tools for any motivated smoker after they’ve attempted first-line quitting solutions such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).Dr. Benjamin Toll, director of the MUSC Health Tobacco Treatment Program, and Dr. Tracy Smith, associate professor in the Addiction Sciences Division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,…

Key takeaways Smoking can cause organ failure over time. Chemicals in smoke can lead to severe organ damage. Quitting smoking reduces chances of damaged or dysfunctional organs. Consult a doctor for personalized advice on quitting smoking. It’s no surprise that smoking is dangerous to you, but can smoking cause organ failure? We know that smoking can cause damage to your lungs, mouth, heart, stomach, and even your gut health, but it takes years for any severe symptoms to surface for most people.So, is it possible for smoking to cause organ failure? Let’s find out in this post.Smoking and Your MouthSmoke will…

Key takeaways NRT products are available over-the-counter Prescribed medications and NVPs require a doctor’s prescription Pharmacy NVPs are medically supported, unlike illegal vapes Consult a stop-smoking GP for personalized advice Quitting smoking has always been difficult for many people, especially in the past.Going cold turkey, cutting down the number of cigarettes, or chewing a toothpick were the only options motivated smokers had back in the day.However, thanks to advancements and research over the last few decades, quitting has become significantly more manageable.Smokers can now choose between nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products and nicotine vaping products (NVPs), depending on which best…

Key takeaways Smoking’s dangers are well-known today Tobacco was once believed beneficial. Smokefree environments and ciggie taxes help quitting. Teen vaping has increased, posing health risks. Australian government has clamped down on illegal vaping. Whether you’ve seen it on the news or heard about a relative falling seriously ill from smoking, you likely already know the health risks involved.In the 14th century, people believed that chewing and smoking tobacco could ward off mental and physical illnesses. Fortunately, scientists later discovered the opposite to be true.It’s easy to get caught up in old traditions, but with the knowledge we have today, we…

Key takeaways Fines for vaping in non-smoking areas. Non-pharmacy vaping products illegal since 1 March 2024. Vaping on planes, in vehicles, indoors incurs penalties. Schools can issue suspensions for vaping. Government primarily targets sellers, not individuals. If you’ve just switched to vaping or are thinking about trying it, even if you’re not a smoker, you might be wondering if you can get fined like smokers do. This idea could come from the fact that people using nicotine vaping products (NVPs) are often told to use the same smoking areas in public and commercial spaces.Not knowing the rules won’t save you from…