During an interview with UK radio station Triple M, Mendelsohn reiterated that electronic cigarettes are significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes. As a leading advocate for e-cigarettes as a tool to reduce the harm caused by smoking, he is also a scholar who specializes in tobacco research.
During the interview, Mendelsohn answered directly, stating that "E-cigarettes are not harmless, but there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that their harm is far lower than smoking. We must confront it because it is basically a smoking substitute for adult smokers who cannot quit smoking. Almost all the harm caused by smoking comes from the 7,000 chemicals produced from burning tobacco. When you use an e-cigarette, you are simply heating a liquid in an aerosol, and almost none of these chemicals are present. Therefore, proving that it is safer than smoking is actually child's play.
The reporter asked him whether vaping was a pathway to tobacco consumption. In response, Mendersen had no doubt and said: "On the contrary, we are actually seeing a reversal of smoking. The gateway theory has been present in cannabis and other drugs, but it has been repeatedly refuted.
We have observed that in countries where e-cigarettes are allowed, including among young people, smoking rates are declining at a faster pace than ever before. We have seen this in the United Kingdom, United States, and New Zealand. On the other hand, with the emergence of e-cigarettes, we are witnessing a completely opposite situation: e-cigarettes are diverting children's attention from smoking. The interviewer will then be faced with risks related to the use of electronic devices and nicotine consumption.
Mendelson's response once again demonstrated his abilities and objectivity. He stated that the risk of battery malfunction is extremely rare, and in the worst-case scenario, it could lead to a fire. However, there have been very few verified cases of this happening, primarily due to user negligence. Nicotine poisoning also carries a rare risk, but only if one is intoxicated. Symptoms may include coughing, dry mouth, and nausea, but severe harmful effects are infrequent.
Over the past 15 years, electronic cigarettes have not been linked to a single death while approximately 8 million people die annually from smoking worldwide. In fact, due to their 15 year existence, there are millions of pages of analysis, research, and comparisons available to the scientific community. This means that policymakers and health officials have a wealth of information to draw upon when developing anti-smoking prevention policies.
Yes," summarised Mendelson, "these products quietly entered the market in 2006. So, we have gained a lot of experience since then. Currently, there are 82 million electronic cigarette consumers worldwide. Studies have shown that when smokers make the switch, it improves their breathing, reduces the risk of asthma, emphysema and high blood pressure, lowers the risk of heart disease, and improves smoking-related gum disease.
However, there is a bottom line to consider: if you are not a smoker, you should not use e-cigarettes. However, if you are a smoker, e-cigarettes may be the most effective smoking cessation alternative available to us. It is unfortunate that the e-cigarette industry has been penalized due to exaggerated concerns about its spread among young people.
Disclaimer: 1. The content of this article is compiled from third-party information and is solely for industry communication and learning. 2. This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article content. The compilation of this article is only used for industry communication and research. 3. Due to limited compilation skills, the compiled article may not express the same as the original text, please refer to the original text for accuracy. 4. For any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign statements and positions, 2FIRSTS fully supports the Chinese government. 5. The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
