Negative Impact of Vapes on Public Health: WHO Calls for Urgent Action

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.22.2023
Negative Impact of Vapes on Public Health: WHO Calls for Urgent Action
World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no evidence that e-cigarettes effectively help smokers quit. Instead, evidence shows negative impacts on public health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) categorically states that there is no evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes can effectively assist community smokers in quitting smoking. On the contrary, there is existing evidence that indicates e-cigarettes have a negative impact on public health.

 

E-cigarettes have been widely available on the market and extensively promoted among young people. Currently, 34 countries have implemented bans on the sales of e-cigarettes, while 88 countries lack any minimum age restrictions for purchasing e-cigarettes. Additionally, 74 countries have no regulations in place regarding these harmful products.

 

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that "children are being lured into smoking and may become addicted to nicotine at a young age. I urge countries to implement strict measures to prevent the use of e-cigarettes in order to protect their citizens, especially children and adolescents.

 

E-cigarettes, which contain highly addictive nicotine, are harmful to health. While we have not yet fully understood their long-term effects on health, it has been established that they produce harmful substances, some of which are considered carcinogens, while others increase the risk of heart and lung diseases. The use of e-cigarettes may also affect brain development, leading to learning and cognitive impairments in young people. Pregnant women exposed to e-cigarettes may have adverse effects on the development of the fetus. The toxic gases in e-cigarettes also pose risks to those around the users.

 

The usage of e-cigarettes among children aged 13-15 is reported in all regions of the World Health Organization. In Canada, the prevalence of e-cigarette use among individuals aged 16-19 has doubled between 2017 and 2022. Similarly, in the UK, the number of teenagers using e-cigarettes has tripled in the past three years.

 

Research consistently indicates that even brief exposure to social media content about e-cigarettes can potentially increase both the willingness to use these products and the positive attitude towards e-cigarettes. Young people who use e-cigarettes are nearly three times more likely to use traditional cigarettes in the future.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries to take urgent measures to prevent the use of e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction, as well as to implement comprehensive tobacco control methods that align with each country's respective circumstances. In countries where the sale of e-cigarettes is prohibited, the WHO urges stronger enforcement of such bans and continuous monitoring to support public health interventions and ensure strict compliance. In countries where the sale of e-cigarettes as consumer products (including sales, imports, distribution, and production) is permitted, the WHO emphasizes the need for strict regulations to reduce their attractiveness and harm to the public. This includes the prohibition of all flavors, limitations on nicotine concentration and content, as well as taxation.

 

The strategy for smoking cessation should be based on the best available evidence and should be accompanied by other tobacco control measures, and it should be monitored and evaluated. According to the current evidence, the government should not allow the sales of e-cigarettes as consumer products in order to achieve the goal of smoking cessation.

 

Any government that adopts an e-cigarette smoking cessation strategy must regulate the conditions of product exposure to ensure proper clinical conditions and manage drug products (including requiring them to be distributed as pharmaceuticals). Even in such strict forms, the decision to pursue e-cigarettes as a means to achieve smoking cessation goals should only be made after reviewing domestic conditions, as well as examining smoking risks and proven cessation strategies.

 

Due to the growing prevalence of e-cigarette use, which has been found to have harmful effects on the health of children and adolescents, decisive action must be taken to prevent the use of e-cigarettes.

 

Notice

1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.

2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.

Copyright

This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.

This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.