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World Health Organisation Calls For Regulation On E-Cigarettes

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World Health Organisation Calls For Regulation On E-Cigarettes

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its report on electronic cigarettes, which calls for greater regulation on the devices.

The report suggests that the devices should be banned from use indoors, as there is still a risk to others from passive smoking. The report states that the vapour emitted from them is not merely water vapour, as is often claimed.

The agency has also urged that e-cigarettes not be sold to minors and that there be tighter regulation on vending machines selling these products, which could include the removal of vending machines from almost all locations.

Furthermore, the agency has expressed concern that the e-cigarette market is being controlled by the traditional tobacco manufacturers, and that e-cigarette companies are making misleading health claims regarding how useful the devices are in helping people to quit smoking. The agency has said that the makers should not be allowed do this until they provide 'convincing supporting scientific evidence' and obtain regulatory approval. In addition, the WHO has called for tighter restrictions on advertising the devices.

The report also recommends that the products should be regulated to 'minimise content and emissions of toxicants' and that flavoured versions should be banned. It is also suggested that all e-cigarettes should carry health warnings about potential nicotine addition.

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However, the report has faced some backlash from some e-cigarette users and proponents who are worried about over-regulation and who say that any product which in any way assists smokers in quitting is beneficial.

Many EU governments are currently working on drafting legislation to regulate the use, advertising and sale of e-cigarettes.

The results of the report will be debated in full in October at a meeting of the WHO and UN member states.

© 2014 European Supermarket Magazine – Europe’s grocery retail magazine, for all your breaking supermarket, convenience-store and FMCG news. Article written by Nicole Gernon.

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