- Vapers claim e-cigarettes are safer than conventional smokes, but experts argue that switching doesn’t solve the underlying nicotine addiction and so isn’t a long-term solution for quitting smoking.
- Brenda, meanwhile, is pulling on her vape all day. She’s hooked and realises she needs help — but can’t find any quit programmes for vapers.
- Richard van Zyl-Smit, who runs South Africa’s only public clinic to help people quit smoking, explains that therapy to help people change their behaviour must be part of the plan to kick the nicotine habit — replacements alone are not enough.
- But, says tobacco control researcher Samantha Filby, there’s little government support for smoking cessation in South Africa, and not much awareness either.
- Missed part 1? Listen to it. Stay tuned for part 3 of this narrative podcast series.
In today’s newsletter, Jessica Pitchford asks how easy it is to quit vaping. Sign up today.
