Smokers could be offered e-cigarettes on the NHS for first time

Smokers may soon be offered e-cigarettes on the NHS after they were licensed as medicines for the first time.

The e-Voke “vaping” device, which is produced by the world’s biggest tobacco company, British American Tobacco, has been approved as safe and effective by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

The move paves the way for GPs to prescribe e-cigarettes on the NHS to help people quit smoking.

It comes despite many experts still holding significant concerns about the unknown effects of the devices.

The British Medical Association and the Royal College of GPs have both been cautious about recommending the devices as there is still uncertainty about their benefits.

Dr Tim Ballard, of the Royal College of GPs, was quoted by the BBC as saying: “At the moment there isn't the evidence and the guidance hasn't been written to help GPs make those decisions.”