E-Cigarettes: Dutch and EU sound alarm about possible risks (2013-12-03)

The Dutch Health Ministry warned about the possible health risks of electronic cigarettes, announcing plans to clamp down on labeling ahead of European regulations.

 

 

The move followed an analysis of existing scientific research by the National Institute for Public Health, the leading Dutch government health advisory body: Are e-cigaretes safe?
More research is needed to answer this question. The current
main concerns are:
• Bateries, atomizers, cartridges, cartridge wrappers, packs and instruction manuals lack important information regarding e-cigarete content, use and essential warnings;
• E-cigaretes may contain toxic substances including diethylene glycol (a highly toxic substance), various nitrosamines (powerful carcinogens found in tobacco), and other chemicals suspected of being harmful to humans;
• Some e-cigarete cartridges labeled as containing no nicotine have nicotine present;
• The presence of carcinogens as a result of ‘passive vaping’ in indoor air;
• By simulating the cigarete experience, e-cigaretes might reactivate the habit in ex-smokers. They could also be a gateway into tobacco abuse for young people who are not yet hooked;
• If e-cigarete cartridges with high levels of nicotine leak, they can expose nicotine, an addictive and dangerous chemical, to children, adults, pets and the environment;
• Currently, there are no methods for proper disposal of e-cigaretes products and accessories, including cartridges, which could result in nicotine contamination from discarded cartridges entering water sources and soil, and adversely impacting the environment;
• The manufacture, quality control, sales, and advertisement of e-cigaretes are unregulated.
Electronic cigarettes are addictive and contain dangerous chemicals, Netherlands public health officials said.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment said users have reported mouth and throat irritation, DutchNews.nl reported Thursday. Nicotine vapors released by e-cigarettes may pose a danger to children, the agency said.

The Dutch institute raised concerns on its website last week that e-cigarettes are attractive to young people because of bright colors, flashing lights and jewelry-like appearance.

Junior Health Minister Martin Van Rijn told the newspaper AD he plans to craft regulations quickly instead of waiting for the European Union to act.

The warning came as Britain signaled it would force tobacco companies to scrap branded cigarette packaging on Thursday in an attempt to reduce the number of children who may be drawn to smoking by striking and brightly colored packs.

A few countries have banned them outright - such as Brazil, Norway and Singapore - while others are opting for varying degrees of regulation, in some cases including limits on advertising and curbs on their use in public places.

Is Europe preparing to impose stricter bans on electronic cigarettes, known as e-cigarettes, by treating them like regular tobacco cigarettes?
According to the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph, a leaked document from the European Commission recognizes the “risk that electronic cigarettes can develop into a gateway to normal cigarettes.” The policy development means that the commission hopes to include this alternative to smoking as part of EU’s new “tobacco products directive.” Specifically, electronic cigarettes will be treated as a “tobacco related product,” and as such, “be regulated within this directive” by 2017.

The commission’s proposal aims to ban e-cigarettes that release levels of nicotine that exceed 20 milligrams per millileter; allow for refillable cartridges; or provide a taste that imitates tobacco, the Telegraph reported. Altogether, these restrictions would outlaw all e-cigarettes that are currently on store shelves.

For more information
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
E-Cigarette Factsheet

E-Cigarettes To Be Regulated Like Tobacco By European Commission, Leaked Documents Say

Daily Telegraph
EU seeks 'ban on all currently available e-cigarettes'

MDN