Electronic Cigarettes Not Proven Safe Or Effective
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday that there was no evidence to prove electronic cigarettes are effective in helping smokers kick the habit, or that they are even safe to use.
“The electronic cigarette has yet to be shown to be a legitimate therapy like nicotine gum, patches or lozenges that help wean smokers from nicotine addiction,” the agency said.
An electronic cigarette is typically made of a metal tube with a chamber that holds liquid nicotine in a rechargeable cartridge. Smokers can puff on it, but since it does not require lighting some to use it in public places where smoking bans are enacted.
They were first made in China and marketed primarily over the Internet in countries like Britain, Brazil, Canada and Israel. Despite the lack of regulatory approval, electronic cigarettes have seen growing popularity, WHO said.Â
In addition to a fine mist of nicotine, they contain “potentially many other toxic compounds which we are not sure of", according to Douglas Bettcher, acting director of the WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative.
"The World Health Organization knows of absolutely no scientific evidence whatsoever that would confirm that the electronic cigarette is a safe and effective smoking cessation device," he said during a news briefing.
"Toxicological tests and clinical trials have not been performed on this product."
"If the manufacturers and marketers of the electronic cigarette want to help smokers to quit, then they should operate within proper regulatory frameworks,” Bettcher said, referring to rigorous clinical and toxicological studies.
While not disclosing names, Bettcher said that some manufacturers had used the WHO logo or name on their package or Web site, something that might falsely imply endorsement.
The agency is working to contact health authorities in its 193 member states to notify them of the "bogus, untested false claims". Turkey had already prohibited sales, Bettcher said.
The WHO has only this year become aware of the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes throughout the world.
"It has really taken countries and the WHO by surprise. It has been a product that appeared very suddenly on the market in a short period of time," said Bettcher.
The agency said that use of tobacco is the largest cause of preventable death worldwide, contributing to some 5.4 million deaths each year from heart disease, stroke and other conditions.
WHO members established a treaty in 2003, which 160 countries have since ratified, that called for more stringent warnings on cigarette packages along with advertising and sponsorship limits.
—
On the Net: