Debunking the misinformation about Elf Bar, Geek Bar and other disposable vapes
A recent article by Cosmopolitan[1] has been gaining traction. In this they spread a lot of misinformation about vaping. They focus on the recent rise in disposables such as the Elf Bar and Geek Bar. The article is led with a TikTok video of a Doctor, who warns of the ‘dangers’ when using these new devices.
He states: “Smoking a whole Geek or Elf bar is the equivalent of about 48 to 50 cigarettes”. This would only be close to the case if using ‘light’ cigarettes, which have the lowest nicotine content. However, an Elf or Geek Bar is closer to the equivalent of about 20 regular cigarettes.
Disposable vapes are designed to last much longer than a cigarette. The 20mg nicotine strength divided between the 600 puffs is not nearly as strong as the article portrays. This actually provides a benefit to smokers as it is much cheaper than a pack of cigarettes.
They also reference a study that looks at vaping in the UK to support their argument. The use of e-cigarettes study[2] they use shows a rise in vapers, which they portray as a bad thing. However, it should been seen as a positive. An increase in vaping means that less people are smoking. This is also supported by the study they cite. It showed that the main reason people vaped was to help them quit or prevent them from going back to smoking. This is on the first page making it difficult to miss.
They close the article by linking to support pages from the NHS and British Lung Foundation. If they had done any research, they would know that the NHS advocates for vaping as a way of quitting smoking[3]. Leading Health Bodies agree that vaping is 95% safer than smoking[4]. Although as this article shows, too many people are not aware of this.
Elf Bar And Other Disposables Are Helping Smokers Quit
Lets take look at what we actually know about vaping in the UK. Rather than listening to a TikTok video and the comments section. As mentioned earlier, the amount of money people save by switching to vaping is a huge benefit. A study on low household incomes by ASH[5] found that smoking was more common with people that had low incomes. This makes the cost of the addiction even more of a burden. However this means the savings when switching are also just as vital.
The NHS statistics on stop smoking services in England[6] also surveyed those who using its Stop Smoking Services. In this they found up to 74% of those surveyed used vaping to help them quit. 38% thought it was just as harmful as smoking. 15% even thought it caused more damage. Once again this shows the lack of information out there about vaping.
Conclusion
I believe the intention of this article is to deter youth vaping. This is a message we also back. However, the approach of the article doesn’t provide a balanced view of the study it cites. As a result, adult smokers may be put off vaping after reading this and continue to smoke.
For example, on the first page of the study it states ‘Nearly a third of smokers incorrectly believe vaping is more or equally as harmful as smoking’. Articles like this from Cosmo don’t help by spreading half truths and misinformation. It would be more responsible to also discuss the benefits of vaping for those who want to quit smoking, rather than the one viewpoint they provided.
Sources
[1] Biggs, J. (2022). This doctor is warning against using those Elf and Geek bars you’ve seen all over TikTok. [online] Cosmopolitan. Available at: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a38735589/elf-geek-bars-doctor-warns-against/
[2] Use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among adults in Great Britain. (2021). [online] Available at: https://ash.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Use-of-e-cigarettes-vapes-among-adults-in-Great-Britain-2021.pdf
[3] NHS Digital. (n.d.). Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in England April 2019 to March 2020. [online] Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-nhs-stop-smoking-services-in-england/april-2019-to-march-2020
[4] UK Health Security Agency (2021). E-cigarettes around 95% less harmful than tobacco estimates landmark review. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-cigarettes-around-95-less-harmful-than-tobacco-estimates-landmark-review
[5] Jackson, S.E., Shahab, L., West, R. and Brown, J. (2019). Associations between dual use of e-cigarettes and smoking cessation: a prospective study of smokers in England. Addictive Behaviors, p.106230.
[6] NHS Digital. (n.d.). Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in England April 2019 to March 2020. [online] Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-nhs-stop-smoking-services-in-england/april-2019-to-march-2020
