6.6 million people in the UK smoke – but the government is aiming to cut this in half before 2030.
The UK government revealed their new ‘swap to stop’ scheme in April, which will see free vape kits given out to one million smokers with the aim to make the country smoke-free by 2030.
1 in 5 smokers will receive a vape starter kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit – with local authorities each individually designing a scheme to distribute and prioritise populations.
The government has also revealed there will be financial incentives for all pregnant women who smoke if they quit, alongside behavioural support.
The government estimates the ‘swap to stop’ scheme will cost £45m over 2 years, and should come into effect by the end of next year.
The government also want to crackdown on illicit vape sales against children and young people.
“It isn’t going to stop people smoking but just encourage them to do both” says vape user Alicia Offin, who isn’t the only person with concerns.
Videos surrounding the scheme have gone viral on TikTok, with users commenting on the topic asking to be ‘signed up’ for the wrong intentions.
The scheme is set to be implemented by the end of next year, with a ‘smoke-free’ smoking rate of less than five percent of the population, soon expected.
