No e-cigarette use in indoor public spaces – WHO

26 Aug 2014

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling for regulation on the use and sale of e-cigarettes, including a ban on the use of the devices in indoor public spaces because of second-hand smoke risks.

The UN health body also called for a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, and a ban on solutions with fruity, candy and alcoholic drink-like flavours that may especially appeal to youths.

WHO also warned vapour from e-cigarettes also poses a “serious threat” to foetuses.

“The existing evidence shows that ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery system) aerosol is not merely ‘water vapour’ as is often claimed in the marketing for these products,” WHO said in a report on e-cigarettes.

“ENDS use poses serious threats to adolescents and foetuses. In addition, it increases exposure of non-smokers and bystanders to nicotine and a number of toxicants.”

Users of e-cigarettes should be legally requested not to use the devices indoors “until exhaled vapour is proven to be not harmful to bystanders”, the report also said.

What’s more, WHO said there is not enough evidence to conclude that e-cigarettes help users quit smoking.

E-cigarette image via Shutterstock

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com