The World Health Organization issues a “Call to Action”…
The World Health Organization issues a “Call to Action” on Electronic Cigarettes, Released 14 December 2023 In documents explaining the dangers and alarming promotion of electronic cigarettes, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an urgent call to action due to the rapid increase in the use of electronic cigarettes, especially by youth. WHO states,
“E-cigarettes with nicotine are highly addictive and are harmful to health. Globally, the market is growing rapidly, with a large diversity of products and attractive flavors, aggressively marketed targeting children and young people. This has driven widespread use of these products among younger children and adolescents with rates exceeding adult use in many countries.
E-cigarettes are often promoted as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes; however, to date, the commercialization (sale, importation, distribution, or manufacture) of e-cigarettes as consumer products has not been proven to have had a net benefit for public health. Instead, alarming evidence on their adverse population health effects is mounting.
Urgent measures are necessary to prevent uptake of e-cigarettes and counter nicotine addiction alongside a comprehensive approach to tobacco control, and in light of national circumstances.” Specific to Thailand’s ban of e-cigarettes, WHO recommends:
“Where countries ban sale of e-cigarettes, they should ensure strong implementation, including monitoring and surveillance measures that support a real-time view of uptake and patterns of use, complementary measures such as prohibiting advertising, promotion and sponsorship (including digital marketing), and effective enforcement measures.”
Note: This is just a portion of the WHO documents highlighting the urgency of maintaining the ban on electronic cigarettes in Thailand. Stephen Hamann
