New Zealand Advocacy Group Refutes Claims of E-Cigarette Lung Damage

According to the New Zealand Vaping Advocacy Community (AVCA), claims by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand (ARFNZ) that e-cigarettes cause lung damage are unfounded. As part of World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day on November 16th, ARFNZ urged New Zealanders to steer clear of e-cigarettes to protect their lung health and avoid COPD.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand has once again made a health claim without providing any evidence to support it. If they want their warning to be taken seriously, they need to provide some evidence," said Nancy Loucas, co-founder of AVCA.

The AVCA recommends that ARFNZ refer to the medical research published by Professor Riccardo Polosa in international journals. The professor is a renowned expert in the field of respiratory health and tobacco harm reduction (THR), having received numerous awards.

Professor Polosa's work provides comprehensive evidence that patients suffering from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experience improved respiratory symptoms after completely switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Another review conducted by Professor Polosa concluded that e-cigarettes are far less damaging to the lungs compared to smoking.

Electronic cigarettes are not perfect, but their harm is far less than smoking. ARFNZ did not support the Ministry of Health in using electronic cigarettes as an effective smoking cessation tool, but instead continued to be unreasonable. If ARFNZ hopes to achieve a smoke-free New Zealand by 2025, it needs to recognize the role of electronic cigarettes instead of scaring those who are eager to quit smoking," said Ms. Loucas.

She stated that New Zealand has implemented an effective tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategy, leading to the country's overall smoking rate being at its lowest historical level. With the government renewing its focus on the Aotearoa 2025 Smokefree plan - aiming to reduce smoking by 5% - smoke-free is now becoming a reality.

ARFNZ is making every effort to prevent the remaining smokers from switching to safer alternatives. They fail to mention that no New Zealanders have died from using e-cigarettes, and also fail to mention that the UK Public Health Department still strongly believes that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than smoking combustible cigarettes.

Ms. Loucas suggests that individuals using or associated with electronic cigarettes seeking trustworthy advice should visit the Ministry of Health's website, www.vapingfacts.health.nz/.

The amendment for smoke-free environments and regulated products (tobacco smoking) will be returned from the Health Committee report by December 1st.

According to the AVCA, ARFNZ is making maximum efforts to revive the comprehensive e-cigarette legislation that was due in the country in 2020. In the meantime, around 5,000 New Zealanders die every year from smoking-related diseases.

The parliament is passing a bill that will address the harmful effects of cigarettes by restricting their use and appeal. This should be the focus of ARFNZ. However, instead, they continue to undermine the government and health department's stance on the e-cigarette issue, causing confusion among consumers," she said.

The AVCA has stated that ARFNZ is not the only entity engaging in the dissemination of erroneous information. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to claim that there is mounting evidence that e-cigarettes cause harm to the lungs. However, a recent white paper authored by international THR experts concluded that such claims are "shameful and outright lies.

Ms. Loucas presented a white paper at the 5th Asia Harm Reduction Forum (AHRF 2022) titled "Disrupting Public Health: A Consumer Perspective.

ARFNZ should join the country's ten-year smoke-free initiative and successful THR strategy. If it cannot accept the many positive case studies of science and non-smokers, it should at least remain silent," said Nancy Loucas.

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