World Health Organisation warns of the risks of e-cigarettes

In just under a decade the e-cigarette industry has grown from one manufacturer in China to an estimated US$3bn global business with 466 brands. However, these nicotine-based replacements for tobacco products may not be as safe as some would believe, according to the WHO. Its report found that e-cigarette aerosol is not merely 'water vapour' as is often claimed in the marketing of these products. "While they are likely to be less toxic than conventional cigarettes, e-cigarette use poses threats to adolescents and foetuses of pregnant mothers using these devices," said the WHO. It is particularly concerned by how e-cigarettes are being marketed to the young. Experimentation with e-cigarettes is increasing rapidly among adolescents, with e-cigarette use in this group doubling from 2008 to 2012, the report warns.hideAs a result, the WHO is calling for governments to ban the use of e-cigarettes indoors in public and work places. It said that evidence suggests that exhaled e-cigarette aerosol increases the background air level of some toxicants, nicotine and particles. The WHO also wants governments to take steps to impede the promotion of e-cigarettes to non-smokers and young people, including a ban on flavoured e-cigarettes (like fruit and alcoholic drink flavours), until it can be proved they are not attractive to children and adolescents. E-cigarettes have been marketed in almost 8,000 different flavours and the WHO is concerned they could serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction and, ultimately, smoking, particularly for young people. Reinsurer Swiss Re recently highlighted its concerns over the potential health risks of e-cigarettes in its emerging risks report, Sonar. It warned that if e-cigarettes are proven to be more harmful to health than currently believed, respiratory diseases or other health problems may increase and trigger liability claims similar to tobacco in the past. Swiss Re noted that e-cigarettes are often marketed as a less harmful alternative to tobacco, despite the fact that their long-term health effects are not yet known. According to Swiss Re, concerns focus on e-liquids, the key ingredients in e-cigarettes, which are powerful neurotoxins. When e-liquids are ingested or absorbed through the skin they can cause vomiting and seizures and can even be lethal, it said. "Toxicologists warn that e-liquids pose a significant risk to public health, particularly to children. They also represent a serious workplace hazard for those preparing and selling them if proper precautions are not taken," the reinsurer said in its Sonar report. There are already proposals to tighten laws governing the sale of e-cigarettes in Europe. Under the revised EU Tobacco Products Directive, the content and marketing of e-cigarettes will be tightly regulated. From mid-2016 advertising for e-cigarettes will be banned across EU member states. The EU will also cap the level of nicotine and require safety warnings on packaging. The US Food and Drug Administration has also proposed extending federal regulation to the e-cigarette industry for the first time.

World Health Organisation warns of the risks of e-cigarettes

Want to read this article?

Read Next

Ferma members told AI will bring risk and reward for corporate insurance buyers

Aon’s revenues up 5% as it completes $13bn NFP deal

Warmer climate spreading risk of malaria and dengue to new regions

UN launches new net-zero insurance forum to replace NZIA

Pen extends fleet capacity deal with Zurich in Republic of Ireland

Ferma members told AI will bring risk and reward for corporate insurance buyers

Aon’s revenues up 5% as it completes $13bn NFP deal

Warmer climate spreading risk of malaria and dengue to new regions

UN launches new net-zero insurance forum to replace NZIA

Pen extends fleet capacity deal with Zurich in Republic of Ireland

Want to read this article?

Read Next

Ferma members told AI will bring risk and reward for corporate insurance buyers

Aon’s revenues up 5% as it completes $13bn NFP deal

Warmer climate spreading risk of malaria and dengue to new regions

UN launches new net-zero insurance forum to replace NZIA

Pen extends fleet capacity deal with Zurich in Republic of Ireland

Related Articles