161: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 161

161: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 161

What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? This conversation on The Relaxback UK Show with host Mike Dilk and GP Dr Zoe Williams looks at nicotine through that lens – from cigarettes to vapes to patches and gum – and asks whether being "smoke-free" is really enough. Dr Zoe starts with the basics: smoking significantly raises the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even mental health problems.

As she puts it, "the tobacco is the thing that is the big concern. And that's why getting people away from cigarettes is the ultimate goal." But nicotine itself is far from harmless; the main issue is dependence. Many people quit cigarettes yet stay hooked on nicotine in other forms. You’ll hear some eye-opening numbers: around 4.9 million people in the UK smoke, while 5.4 million now use e‑cigarettes.

Worryingly, a substantial number of vapers have never smoked, and one in five children aged 11–17 have tried vaping. Dr Zoe and Mike call out the brightly coloured devices and sweet flavours – bubblegum, cola, strawberry – that seem designed to appeal to teenagers, even as cigarettes are hidden from view in shops.

Dr Zoe supports the "Total Quit" campaign, which pushes for two things: proper support so people can become nicotine‑free (not just smoke‑free), and tighter rules on how vapes are marketed. She explains how local NHS stop smoking services, pharmacists, and GP practices can offer structured help, from identifying triggers to choosing tools like patches, gum, medication or, for some, short‑term vaping.

There’s even a bit of humour, with Mike’s tongue‑in‑cheek idea that only embarrassing dads should be allowed to run vape shops. If you’re sober or cutting back on other substances and wondering whether nicotine has quietly taken their place, this chat might prompt you to ask the next question: is it time for your own total quit?