Britain to encourage smokers to swap cigarettes for vapes in world-first health initiative

The UK will supply almost one-in-five smokers with a vaping starter kit, along with advice to help quit smoking. (Getty Images: Sestovic/File)

Up to 1 million British smokers will be encouraged to swap cigarettes for "vapes", with pregnant women offered financial incentives to make the change in what will be a world first, the UK government said on Tuesday.

Under the scheme, almost one-in-five smokers will be given a vape — an e-cigarette — starter kit, along with support to help quit smoking, the UK Department of Health said.