Can we have a simultaneous compassionate and dispassionate approach to vaping?

Globally, tobacco control researchers, policy makers, advocates etc are passionate and often united in working towards ending the smoking epidemic,  though we choose to take different paths to achieve this ambition. The UK has taken a compassionate approach to vaping, including for groups for whom there is a very high smoking prevalence, such as people who experience mental health problems, misuse substances and those who experience homelessness. However this approach is also evidence based as e-cigarettes have been shown to be beneficial at an overall population level, particularly if youth uptake is constrained. This presentation will discuss why it has been appropriate for England to take a population level approach, as well as a focus on high risk groups at an individual level, to reducing smoking and hence to vaping regulation. It will also give a more personal reflection on responses to nicotine use in society.