WHO’s Appeal to Include E-Cigarettes in Tobacco Category

• 15 Dec 2023

On 14^th December, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a call for governments to categorize e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco and impose a ban on all flavors, challenging the tobacco industry's pursuit of smoking alternatives.

Key Points

• Urgent Measures Needed: The WHO emphasized the necessity for "urgent measures" to control e-cigarettes, contradicting views that consider them a vital tool in reducing smoking-related deaths and diseases.
• Insufficient Evidence on Quitting and Health Impact: Citing studies, the WHO stated there is insufficient evidence supporting the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in helping smokers quit. Additionally, concerns were raised about the potential harm to health and the risk of driving nicotine addiction, particularly among non-smokers, including children and young people.
• Alarming Use among Youth: The WHO highlighted a worrisome trend of more 13-15 year olds using vapes than adults across all WHO regions, attributing this to aggressive marketing strategies.
• Proposed Changes and Measures: Recommendations from the WHO include implementing bans on all flavoring agents, such as menthol, and applying tobacco control measures to e-cigarettes.
• WHO's Limited Authority and Industry Response: While the WHO lacks authority over national regulations, its recommendations hold influence.
• The anti-tobacco push for stricter regulations on nicotine products directly impacts major tobacco companies aiming to diversify revenue streams through cigarette alternatives.
• Industry Perspective: Tobacco companies argue that vapes pose lower health risks than traditional tobacco, with potential to reduce harm.
• Some flavors and lower prices are viewed as essential to encourage smokers to switch, aligning with the position of certain tobacco control advocates.
• Health Risks and Concerns: Contrary to industry claims, the WHO emphasized that vapes generate substances, some known to cause cancer, posing risks to heart and lung health.
• The organization also pointed out potential harm to brain development in young people, citing relevant studies.