WHO: Restrict e-cigarette sales

MANILA, Philippines – The World Health Organization (WHO) has underscored the need to restrict the sale of electronic cigarettes, saying these cannot help smokers quit smoking.  

According to WHO Country Representative Gundo Weiler, debates are still ongoing in scientific circles about the exact nature of the effects of e-cigarettes.

Weiler said the sale of cigarettes must be controlled because instead of helping smokers kick the habit, e-cigarettes can actually entice people to smoke. 

“We don’t expect any positive effect in the introduction of e-cigarettes to decrease smoking prevalence because e-cigarettes are not an alternative to smoking,” Weiler said in a press briefing in line with the observance of No Smoking Month this June.

One of the safety measures against tobacco consumption is the imposition of the ban on cigarette advertisements, he said.

Health Secretary Janette Garin said e-cigarettes may be included in the coverage of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 by amending its implementing rules and regulations.

But Garin said this could not be done because the ill effects of e-cigarettes have not yet been documented.

According to WHO, e-cigarettes are devices that do not burn or use tobacco leaves but instead vaporize a solution, which the smoker inhales.

The main components of the solution, in addition to nicotine when nicotine is present, are propylene glycol with or without glycerol and flavoring agents.

WHO said the solutions and emissions contain chemicals, which can be considered toxic substances.