The World Health Organization (WHO) has underscored the imperative need for "urgent action" to control the rapid proliferation of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes worldwide. The organization has unequivocally emphasized that these devices are not effective for quitting tobacco use, are highly addictive, and pose significant health risks, particularly to children and young people.
"Electronic cigarettes come in more than 16,000 flavors and are promoted among children through social networks and opinion leaders. In some cases, these products are promoted using cartoon characters and elegant designs to attract younger generations,"
said Rüdiger Krech, Director of the WHO Department of Health Promotion.
Across all WHO regions, alarming trends indicate that e-cigarettes are more prevalent among children aged 13–15 years than among adults. This surge is largely attributed to the unrestricted sale of vaping products and their aggressive marketing strategies targeting the youth demographic.
"Research data suggests that young e-cigarette smokers are almost three times more likely to use regular cigarettes later in life," added WHO.
The WHO has called on countries to take decisive actions akin to those implemented against traditional cigarettes, advocating for a ban on all flavorings in vaping products and the implementation of strict regulations governing content and quality of nicotine. Additionally, the organization recommends imposing high taxes as a deterrent measure.
Expressing further apprehension, the WHO raised concerns about the proliferation of pseudoscientific evidence purporting that vaping is less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes. This misinformation, often funded by tobacco companies, fuels the promotion of vaping among vulnerable demographics, including children and non-smokers.
"According to WHO, today the sale of electronic cigarettes is prohibited in 34 countries, 88 countries do not set a minimum age at which their sale is permitted, and in 74 countries there are no regulatory restrictions on these products at all," the organization noted.
As the WHO sounds the alarm on the escalating risks associated with e-cigarettes, the call for international collaboration and stringent regulatory frameworks becomes ever more imperative to safeguard public health and protect future generations from the harmful impact of these increasingly popular devices.
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