The NHS Stop Smoking Service in Western Cheshire can give access to treatments that can help you to stop smoking. One product very similar to an electronic cigarette is the inhalator. This will help you with the hand-to-mouth habit of smoking, and will deliver clean, safer nicotine to help you stop smoking. Electronic cigarettes do not get rid of the habit or addiction of smoking , and you could be using one for a long time, as often no instructions are given on how to reduce your nicotine use so you can stop using it. The initial cost of a cheaper electronic cigarette can be around £14.00. Licensed stop smoking medications are based on prescription charges, so support and treatment from an NHS Stop Smoking Service is free if you don’t pay for your prescriptions.

If you require translation services or a copy of this document in other languages, audio tape, Braille or larger print, please speak to a member of CWP staff, e-mail info@cwp.nhs.uk or write to: Communications, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Founda-tion Trust, Upton Lea, Countess of Chester Health Park, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1BQ.

Jeśli wymagane jest tłumaczenie lub kopia niniejszego dokumentu w innych językach, na taśmie magnetofonowej, w języku Braille’a lub duŜym drukiem, prosimy o skontaktowanie się z członkiem personelu CWP (Organizacja partnerska krajowego systemu zdrowia regionów Cheshire i Wirral) lub przez pocztę elektroniczną: info@cwp.nhs.uk lub na adres: Communications, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Upton Lea, Countess of Chester Health Park, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1BQ.

Os oes arnoch angen gwasanaeth cyfiethu neu gopi o'r ddogfen hon mewn ieithoedd eraill, tâp sain, Braille neu brint mawr, siaradwch ag aelod o staff CWP, e-bost info@cwp.nhs.uk neu ysgrifennwch i: Communications, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Upton Lea, Countess of Chester Health Park, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1BQ.

Feedback We welcome any suggestions you have, please send your comments, concerns, complaints and compliments to: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, PALS, Complaints and Claims Team, 1829 Building, Liverpool Road, CH2 1HJ.

For more information see www.cwp.nhs.uk

© CWP NHS Foundation Trust

The information in the leaflet was valid at the date of

production July 2013 and is due for review in July 2015

Leaflet code: F-ECWYNK-13-595

Just give us a call and book an appointment. We can help you decide on the best treatment for you and get you started on quitting for good.

Call: 0800 043 5134

Text: quit4good to 60777

ELECTRONIC

CIGARETTES

(e-cigs)

What YOU need to know

CWP West Cheshire Stop Smoking Service

0800 043 5134

What else can I use to

stop smoking?

Where can I get free

support?

Stopping smoking is not always easy and it can sometimes take a few tries.

There are lots of ways to quit smoking, but it is about finding the one that works for you.

Getting support from an NHS Stop Smoking Service could mean that you are 4 times more likely to succeed. NHS Stop Smoking Services can offer you the support and treatment that is often needed to help people quit for good.

Stopping Smoking

What are electronic

cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes are designed to look and feel like real cigarettes. A typical electronic cigarette consists of four components: an LED light (A), a battery (B), an atomizer (C) and a cartridge containing nicotine (D). Nicotine is an addictive stimulant that smokers are used to receiving and is part of the reason why they find it difficult to quit. The level of nicotine in the cartridge can vary and some also contain flavourings. When you suck on the device, the nicotine is vapourised by a heating element, delivering it to the smoker.

Are electronic cigarettes

safe? While electronic cigarettes may be safer than conventional cigarettes, we don’t yet know the long-term effects on the body. There are also other potential drawbacks to using them: • Electronic cigarettes are not regulated as

medicines so you can’t be sure of their ingredients or how much nicotine they contain – whatever it says on the label.

• The amount of nicotine you get from an

electronic cigarette can change over time. • They are not proven as safe. In fact, some

electronic cigarettes have been tested by local authority trading standards departments and been found to contain toxic chemicals, including some of the same cancer-causing agents produced from tobacco.

• The vapour that electronic cigarettes

produce may reduce the oxygen levels in your body.

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There have been some house fires in this area that were caused by electronic cigarettes.

Electronic cigarette batteries need to be recharged, often using a USB port on a computer.

Some low quality electronic cigarettes have overheated and exploded; causing very hot components to land on soft furnishings; starting a fire.

It is very important that you do not leave an electronic cigarette unattended or on charge for long periods of time, for example overnight.

Are there other risks?

Why can’t I get an

electronic cigarette on

prescription?

As there is no medical evidence on how electronic cigarettes can be used to stop smoking they aren’t available on the NHS. At present, they are being thoroughly researched by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) as they are unregulated and unlicensed in the UK.

New legislation will be adopted in 2014 so that all nicotine containing devices, like electronic cigarettes, are regulated as a medication in the UK by 2016. This will ensure that all products containing nicotine are safe, are of the right quality, and work.