Medical News Update e-cigarettes - In the news again.

UK Health Radio Medical News Update

e-cigarettes - In the news again.

The BBC report today that the argument surrounding e cigarettes continues as a letter signed by more than 50 researchers and public health specialists urges the World Health Organisation (WHO) to "resist the urge to control and suppress e-cigarettes".

Far from discouraging smokers from using the cigarette replacements that deliver nicotine in a vapour – the letter says that they could be a "significant health innovation".

The UK's Faculty of Public Health, however, have reported that it is too early to know whether benefits outweigh any potential risks.

The WHO said it was still deciding what recommendations it will make to governments.

Supporters of e-cigarettes, argue that the products are a low-risk substitute for smoking, and that they fear they might become subject to advertising bans and reduction targets.

Although there has been a big growth in the market for e-cigarettes, the Department of Health says they are not risk-free.

Critics say not enough is known about their long-term health effects. A recent report commissioned by Public Health England said e-cigarettes needed to be appropriately and careful regulated and monitored with risk management, if their benefits were to be maximised.

Some of the 53 signatories work on research into tobacco science and smoking cessation and say that  e-cigarettes could be among the most significant health innovations of the 21st Century - perhaps saving hundreds of millions of lives.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that mimic the experience of smoking. Users inhale a vapour from a heated liquid that contains a concentration of nicotine.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for stronger regulation of the devices in the UK and its director

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, told the BBC that there was evidence that children who had never smoked were beginning to use e-cigarettes after being exposed to the marketing campaigns.

Prof John Ashton, president of the Faculty of Public Health, said he was also concerned about children using e-cigarettes.

Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio

Medical News Update

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