Dr Smokeless – GP encourages ecigarettes

Dr John Ashcroft of Ilkeston has opened an e-cigarette shop next door to his surgery in a bid to help smokers quit. Dr Smokeless opened in October and has proved extremely popular with many of his patients who smoke and he hopes to get more to quit by trying vaping instead.

The doctor who has been practicing for nearly 22 years is convinced of the benefits of e-cigarettes against regular tobacco cigarettes.

“I think the idea of vaporising has caught on particularly well here - we know that nationally about 2 million of the 10 million smokers out there have been using e-cigarettes - and this is probably even higher locally,” he said.

E-cigarettes are made using safer ingredients such as vegetable glycerin mixed with nicotine and flavourings.

“Essentially they do give a very good hit for people. Many will find it’s just like smoking - but better,” said the doctor.