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10 months ago
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for all flavored vapes to be banned worldwide and treated similarly to cigarettes.
The agency said on Thursday that 'urgent measures' were needed to control e-cigarettes as there is little evidence suggesting that vaping helps smokers quit and could drive nicotine addiction in non-smokers.
The WHO called for changes, including bans on all flavoring agents like menthol and applying the same measures used to control tobacco to vapes. Those include high taxes and bans on use in public places.
WHO also warned that they have also gained widespread use among young people, with more than half of American students who try them becoming addicted.
Additionally, more 13-15-year-olds are using vapes than adults in all WHO regions, helped by aggressive marketing, the agency's report said.
The World Health Organization has called for all flavored vapes to be banned across the world
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: 'Kids are being recruited and trapped at an early age to use e-cigarettes and may get hooked to nicotine.'
The tobacco industry claims vapes pose significantly lower health risks than tobacco and can help reduce its harms, with some flavors and lower prices important to encouraging smokers to switch - a position shared by some tobacco control advocates.
The WHO said vapes generate substances, some of which are known to cause cancer, and pose risks to heart and lung health. They can also harm brain development in young people, it said, citing studies.
While e-cigarettes are generally thought to be safer than normal cigarettes, increasingly, the evidence shows that vaping is still extremely harmful.
The WHO's guidance is not mandated nationally but could be adopted voluntarily.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING
What are e-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes are devices that allow you to inhale nicotine in a vapor rather than smoke.
They do not burn tobacco or produce tar or carbon monoxide — two of the most harmful parts of tobacco smoke.
The devices work by heating liquid that contains nicotine and flavorings.
They can come as vape pens — which are shaped like a pen or small tube with a tank to store e-liquid and batteries — or pod systems that are rechargeable and often shaped like USB sticks.
Are they dangerous?
E-cigarettes are not risk-free but are believed to cause less harm than smoking.
However, its liquid and vapor contain harmful chemicals that are also found in traditional cigarettes, but it much lower levels.
These chemicals have been linked to lung inflammation, chronic coughs, shortness of breath and lung disease.
Some chronic users have developed obstructions in their lung pathways that cause them to suffer 'asthma-like' symptoms.
There have also been cases of e-cigarettes exploding or catching fire.
Can children buy them?
Like cigarettes, an American must be at least 21 years old to purchase a vape.
Many physical retail locations neglect to check identification for customers, allowing children to access the devices.
Around 75 percent of Juuls in the hands of minors in the US came from physical locations, a 2018 report found.
Many also get the device from a friend or family member.
What has the FDA done to curb vape use?
The FDA has banned the sale of flavored nicotine products in the US unless a company has received their approval.
All products sold by e-cigarette giant Juul were ordered to be pulled from the market last June under these new rules
It found that there was not enough evidence to confirm its products did not harm public health.
In November, the FDA issued a warning to online retailers to stop marketing e-cigarettes to kids to 'quickly protect public health'
Other popular brands, like Puff Bar, have received warnings from regulators about the sale of flavored devices as well.
English (US)