Electronic cigarettes or personal vaporisers have grown increasingly popular in recent years, with estimates that around 20% of adult smokers have tried the smoke-free devices. While many smokers – or ‘vapers’ – feel the devices are an effective and safe substitute for tobacco cigarettes, some organisations have expressed concerns over the limited research into the products’ actual effectiveness.
France is considering a ban on e-cigarettes in public places, while Britain earlier this month announced they will regulate the products as medicine from 2016. The EU, meanwhile, is proposing strict regulation of all nicotine and nicotine replacement products, including e-cigarettes.
The changes could see the variety of e-cigarettes on sale decrease, as well as the potential for a temporary EU-wide sales ban until the manufacturers conform to the regulations.
A spokesperson for the Irish Cancer Sociey told Newstalk that “until the safety and efficacy of these products are established and we can be assured that they do not pose a hazard to a person’s health and wellbeing, we are unable to recommend them. They need to be regulated as either a medical product or a medical device. We are pleased that e-cigarettes will be regulated in the UK in a similar way to other NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) products.
“We are not calling for a ban on unregulated products at this time,” the spokesperson continued, “and may reconsider our position as further evidence emerges. However, until the safety of these products are established and we can be assured that they do not cause any harm to the user or any health risks of second hand exposure we are urging people to take caution in using them.”
Objections to regulation
E-cigarette manufacturers and retailers are naturally opposed to proposed regulation, which could have major practical and commercial repercussions. Damien Scott, commercial manager of SKYCIG, told The Guardian “we self-regulate, and restriction on products long-term will make them ineffective."
Adrian Everett of E-Lites suggests "it would be a significant public health loss if electronic cigarettes were made less available to purchase or less available to use during the transition from a consumer product to a medicinal product."
Vapers themselves are also strongly objecting to the proposed regulation. Many have pointed out that it’s the toxins in cigarettes and cigarette smoke, not the nicotine itself, that are damaging to health, and therefore cigarettes and the ‘cleaner’ e-cigarettes are not comparable. They also fear strict EU rulings could see the products themselves become inferior and ineffective.
In January this year, Clive Bates urged vapers to contact their MEPs to express their objections. He argues “the proposed directive seems to deny or obstruct smokers’ options to quit cigarettes by switching to nicotine or tobacco products that are much less risky. This is very risky and irresponsible, and will probably cause more death and disease.”
Do you use electronic cigarettes? Are you in favour of their regulation? Do you believe they are a safe, effective substitute for tobacco products or a potentially hazardous one? Vote in our poll and leave your comments below.
