A study has revealed that smokers are very concerned about the health and safety implications of the impending easing of the lockdown and what comes next. In total, 73% want the lockdown to stay in place until trace testing had been rolled out, with 65% stating that the threat of a second wave was their primary concern.
Ibiza Vape Club have released the findings from a snapshot study examining smokers’ fears associated with COVID-19 and the impending easing of the lockdown and their smoking habits during this period.
The study polled 2000 adult smokers between the ages of 18 and 55+ and primarily focused on evaluating whether their smoking habits had changed during the coronavirus lockdown and if so, what had prompted the behavioural shift.
- 75% are worried about their safety when the lockdown is eased.
- 73% want the lockdown to stay in place until there is adequate testing.
- 65% said that their biggest fear is a second wave of the outbreak.
- 48% reported being concerned that life will not return to normal.
Joanne Emmerson, Head of Marketing, Ibiza Vape Club, said: “The study revealed that the majority of smokers in the UK are very concerned about their safety as the lockdown is eased. That fear has had a measurable impact on smoking habits during the crisis, with more notable increases in the number of people who are moderate to heavy smokers.”
The study (executed by OnePoll) was commissioned to provide insights into smoking during this stressful time to support the ongoing development of Ibiza Vape Club’s SWITCH TO QUIT programme. This programme was designed to support smokers who want to quit smoking by switching to vaping (the use of e-cigarettes is fully supported by NHS Smokefree services1).
What are your main concerns about life after the lockdown is over?
- A second wave of the disease – 65%
- Life not returning to normal – 48%
- Job security – 32%
- Another (different) pandemic hitting the world – 29%
- Managing any debt accumulated during the lockdown – 25%
- No concerns in particular – 6%
- Other – 1%
Coronavirus is presenting smokers with an unprecedented risk to their health 2 and with NHS quitting services temporarily on hold and vaping stores closed, smokers who want to switch to quit are out on a limb. SWITCH TO QUIT provides appropriate products, vaping know-how and behavioural support (all based on the NHS quitting service model), enabling smokers to make a smoother transition to vaping.
- In addition to examining smoking behaviour, the study also looked at the aspects of the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown that concerned them, specifically what they were worried about regarding life after the lockdown.
