NICE worked with Public Health England (PHE) to develop a draft guideline on tackling the health burden of smoking, which is open for consultation today.
In response, Dr Nick Hopkinson, Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Advisory Group member, said: “We support the recommendations that include the option of the use of e-cigarettes as a stop smoking intervention, alongside the options of using other pharmacotherapies in combination with behavioural support.
“The Royal College of Physicians has been pressing for this option for many years as research shows e-cigarettes are effective in treating tobacco dependency.
“In addition, recommendations that support the use of financial incentives in pregnant smokers and tailored treatment of smoking in patients treated in Mental Health services are welcome and were recommended in our recent report ‘Smoking and Health 2021; a coming of age for tobacco control’.”