According to a report by Reuters in London, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a document on December 14 urging governments worldwide to treat e-cigarettes on par with traditional tobacco and ban all flavors, which could potentially jeopardize tobacco companies' investments in tobacco alternatives.
Some researchers, advocates, and governments view e-cigarettes as a crucial tool in reducing deaths and diseases caused by tobacco. However, United Nations agencies state that "urgent action" is needed to control them.
The World Health Organization cites some studies stating that there is insufficient evidence to confirm e-cigarettes' effectiveness in helping smokers quit and that they are harmful to one's health, potentially leading to nicotine addiction, especially among non-smokers, particularly children and adolescents.
In global regions influenced by the World Health Organization, the number of 13-15 year old teenagers using e-cigarettes has surpassed that of adults. The WHO's press release cites strong marketing tactics as a driving force behind the popularity of e-cigarettes.
According to the World Health Organization, "children and adolescents are lured and enslaved by e-cigarette at an early age, which could lead to nicotine addiction.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on countries to implement stringent measures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for changes that include banning all additives, such as menthol, in addition to implementing tobacco control measures on e-cigarettes, such as high taxes and restrictions on their use in public places. However, it is important to note that the WHO does not have authoritative power over national regulations and can only provide guidelines. These recommendations are usually voluntarily adopted and implemented.
The World Health Organization and several other anti-tobacco organizations are advocating for stricter regulations on new nicotine products, aiming to undermine the future strategies of tobacco giants like Philip Morris International (PMI) and British American Tobacco.
Major tobacco companies are seeking to establish new sources of revenue by embracing tobacco alternatives in order to counter the declining smoking rates and stringent regulations faced by certain markets.
The tobacco industry claims that e-cigarettes pose significantly fewer health risks than traditional tobacco and can help reduce the harms associated with smoking. They argue that certain flavors and lower prices are crucial in encouraging smokers to switch to e-cigarettes, a viewpoint that is also shared by some tobacco control advocates.
The World Health Organization has reported that e-cigarettes produce certain substances, some of which are known to be carcinogenic and pose risks to heart and lung health. The report cites studies indicating that they also harm the brain development of young individuals.
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