So far evidence indicates that e-cigarettes are a lot safer than tobacco products and can help people in smoking cessation. Brown et al. (2014) conducted a cross-sectional population study to examine the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in aiding smoking cessation in a real-world setting.

Cancer Research UK supports this including many other studies aimed at understanding the health effects of smoking and developing effective smoking cessation interventions. Their support for this study highlights the importance of understanding the potential role of e-cigarettes in reducing the harm associated with cigarette smoking and improving public health. The study assessed the use of e-cigarettes as an aid for smoking cessation, along with smoking history, quitting history, and other demographic and behavioural factors.

The Study Found 16% of the participants had quit smoking completely with the help of e-cigarettes, while an additional 22% had reduced their cigarette consumption by at least half. The study also found that the use of e-cigarettes was associated with a lower rate of relapse to smoking, with only 8.1% of the participants who had quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes returning to smoking compared to 50% of those who had quit without e-cigarettes.

Cancer Research UK is a charity organization that funds research to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. According to their website, they fund research based on scientific excellence and relevance to their mission. They have a rigorous peer-review process to ensure that the research they fund meets their high standards.

In addition, the commissioned report by Public Health England in 2018, titled "Evidence review of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (Htps)", provides an extensive analysis of the existing evidence on the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. This research also concluded that e-cig use is a safer alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes and can be an effective tool for smoking cessation.

Similarly, the report found that heated tobacco products, while potentially less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes, still carry health risks and should not be considered a safe alternative to smoking.

Why Does E-Cig Research Interest Cancer Research UK?

Cancer Research UK acknowledges that e-cig research is a controversial topic and about conflicting opinions on their benefits and harms. It has also been recognised that e-cigarettes are a relatively new phenomenon, and still there is much more to know about their long-term health effects.

However, Cancer Research UK believes that research into e-cigarettes is necessary to inform public health policy and reduce the harms of smoking. They have funded a range of e-cigarette research projects, including studies on their safety and effectiveness as a smoking cessation tool, the public's perceptions and attitudes towards e-cigarettes, and the impact of e-cigarettes on cancer risk.

Cancer Research UK states that they are committed to funding high-quality research to help reduce the harm caused by smoking, including through the development of new, innovative smoking cessation tools. They also emphasise the need for ongoing research into e-cigarettes to better understand their potential risks and benefits.

It's worth noting that Cancer Research UK does not promote or endorse the use of e-cigarettes, but rather supports research that can help inform public health policies and reduce the harms of smoking.

The Main Research Agendas

• Examining The Long-Term Health Effects Of E-Cigarette Use

There is limited data on the long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes, so Cancer Research UK is interested in funding research that can help identify any potential health risks associated with their use.

• Investigating The Potential Link Between E-Cigarette Use and Cancer Risk

While e-cigarettes are generally considered to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes, there is still some concern about their potential impact on cancer risk. Cancer Research UK is interested in research that can help clarify the potential cancer risks associated with e-cigarette use, particularly with long-term use.

• Assessing The Impact of E-Cigarette Marketing on Young People

There is concern that e-cigarette marketing may be particularly appealing to young people, potentially leading to increased use among this group. Cancer Research UK is interested in research that can help identify the impact of e-cigarette marketing on young people and inform efforts to prevent young people from using e-cigarettes.

Wind Up

Cancer Research UK seeks to fund evidence-based research to help provide a better understanding of the potential risks and benefits of e-cigarette use, particularly in relation to cancer risk. The long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, and it is important to continue monitoring the potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes. However, it is widely acknowledged that smoking is incredibly harmful and causes thousands of cancer deaths every year in the UK alone.