Report Urges Countries to Avoid Overregulation of e-cigarettes

People are urging countries to avoid excessive regulation of e-cigarettes, as a new report suggests this could pose greater risks to public health in the long run. According to a report released today by UK think tank IEA, low-risk nicotine products such as heated tobacco have already led to a steep decline in smokers in some countries including the UK. The think tank refutes arguments made by anti-smoking campaigners that using smoking alternatives is dangerous for those who have quit smoking.

In fact, the UK think tank, IEA, has pointed out that according to data from the English Public Health Agency, vaping is "about 95% safer than smoking." This point has also been endorsed by the UK Cancer Research Center, which acknowledges that e-cigarettes are "far closer in harm to other nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.

The key point of the report is that countries should avoid overly cautious approaches and direct bans, such as the requirement for a prescription to use nicotine e-cigarette products in Australia. Essentially, the argument is not that new products should not be regulated at all, but that risks, whether direct or indirect, should be evaluated in a more balanced manner.

This news comes after US regulators banned the sale of Myblu electronic cigarettes, which are owned by Imperial Brands. The ban was imposed as a result of a review, which found inadequate evidence to support the claim that smoking bans protect public health.

Source: City AM

A think tank has issued a warning stating that banning e-cigarettes could cause more harm than good.