SMOKERS in Devon who wish to kick the habit may be given vape starter kits to help them quit.

Dubbed ‘Swaptober’, the campaign, which is being prompted by Public Heath Devon, is a part of new measures to help the government meet its ambition for the country to be smokefree by 2030.

The initiative will see almost one in five of smokers in Devon given the vape starter kits.

While not risk-free, vaping poses less risk to those associated with smoking cigarettes, because there is no combustion and vapour from vapes does not contain the products in cigarette smoke that cause lung disease, heart disease and cancer.

Health experts however agree that anyone who does not smoke cigarettes should not start vaping; more research is needed to fully understand the health effects of e-cigarettes or vapes.

October, or ‘Stoptober’ as the national stop smoking campaign calls it, is a good opportunity for people to give up smoking.

Swap to Stop is a national program in England that helps smokers switch from cigarettes to vapes.

The scheme is offered to people who smoke tobacco and are over 18 years old.

It is part of the government's goal to reduce tobacco smoking rates to 5% or less by 2030.

Public Health Devon offers free vape starter kits for a 12-week pathway without the needing to commit to a quit.

For more information, visit Stop For Life Devon’s website.