VApril Campaign Launched
BBC’s Daily Politics covered the launch of VApril yesterday.
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by Dave Cross
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Greg Dawson, BBC reporter: “The campaign is aimed at smokers, and the idea is those who want to kick the habit - to get them to try one of these instead [holds ecig]. The campaigners say that if you vape it’s a lot safer (OK it’s not totally safe but its much better than smoking). And they want people in April, you can see why they’re calling it VApril, to try giving this a go instead of the cigarettes.”
“Now there is some medical backing for this, Dr Christian Jessen; you’re supporting this campaign, why do you think this is so important?”
Dr Christian Jessen, TV doctor and all-round great person: “The idea is essentially is to hopefully get people, Mr Farage for example, to consider vaping instead of smoking, because there are such clear and significant health benefits to doing so.”
“Public Health England has come forward in a recent report to say that it is 95% safer than smoking – and I think that speaks for itself. There are still 7 million people smoking in the UK and 40% of them haven’t even considered vaping as an alternative and healthier option.”
Greg Dawson, BBC: “Wouldn’t it be better to quit altogether though, rather than try another thing that’s going to give you a nicotine hit?”
Dr Christian Jessen, TVD&ARGP: “Have you ever tried? Do you smoke?”
Greg Dawson, BBC: “Me personally? No. But you can see what I mean, there are no health benefits to this are there.”
Dr Christian Jessen, TVD&ARGP: “Of course, the idea is all about choice. There are lots of options available to people: going cold turkey is one of them and people find it very difficult. And so offering them safer alternatives that work would be a far more useful option, which is what vaping is.”
Smokers wanting to switch to vaping need to sign up for a free ticket at their nearest venue. Events will be taking place at vape stores in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London & the South East and Newcastle.
The website has answers to some common concerns held by smokers.
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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