According to the Italian media outlet ItaliaChiamaItalia, two major medical organizations, the European Confederation of Primary Care Paediatricians (ECPCP) and the European Academy of Paediatrics (Eap), recently released an important document recommending the prohibition of minors from using e-cigarettes with or without nicotine. Adults would be required to obtain a prescription from a doctor proving their tobacco dependence and participation in smoking cessation treatment in order to purchase e-cigarette products.
The document expresses serious concerns about the prevalence of e-cigarettes among adolescents and children, emphasizing their potential risks. These risks are often underestimated and include severe short-term effects on respiratory, cardiovascular, and ocular health, as well as long-term nicotine dependence.
President of ECPCP, Laura Reali, pointed out that the nicotine content of e-cigarettes can be up to ten times higher than traditional tobacco cigarettes, making adolescents more susceptible to becoming victims of nicotine dependence and relying on this deadly substance. She also mentioned that there is emerging data in the literature indicating the impact of e-cigarette use on fetal development in pregnant women, as well as the long-term carcinogenic risks associated with extended use of e-cigarettes.
Lei Ali emphasized that governments should classify e-cigarettes as pharmaceuticals rather than consumer goods, due to their clear side effects. She called for strict regulation of the sale and use of e-cigarettes worldwide. EAP and ECPCP are in complete agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in advocating for a total ban on e-cigarettes, allowing only those with a medical prescription for smoking cessation therapy to purchase them.
E-cigarettes were first introduced in the 1980s as a substitute therapy for tobacco dependence, similar to methadone for heroin addicts. However, with the expansion of the market, e-cigarette designs and flavors are increasingly attracting young people. Data shows that this appealing design is leading young people to develop a dependence on e-cigarettes, and potentially transition to traditional tobacco use.
Member of the Italian Pediatry Medical Committee, Valentina Grimaldi, expressed concern over the widespread use of these products among young people, as it may ultimately lead them to become dependent on traditional tobacco. She emphasized that the best way to protect the health of young people is through prevention rather than treatment.
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