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'No proof' e-cigarettes are safe | 'No proof' e-cigarettes are safe |
(1 day later) | |
There is a worrying lack of safety data on electronic cigarettes, despite their growing popularity with the public, two leading Greek researchers have warned. | There is a worrying lack of safety data on electronic cigarettes, despite their growing popularity with the public, two leading Greek researchers have warned. |
In the British Medical Journal, they say that without more evidence it is impossible to know if such products actually do more harm than good. | In the British Medical Journal, they say that without more evidence it is impossible to know if such products actually do more harm than good. |
Some studies have raised safety fears, but retailers argue e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative to the real thing. | Some studies have raised safety fears, but retailers argue e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative to the real thing. |
Users can inhale nicotine without tar, tobacco or carbon monoxide. | Users can inhale nicotine without tar, tobacco or carbon monoxide. |
The Department of Health suggested consumers "exercise caution". | The Department of Health suggested consumers "exercise caution". |
The Department of Health is not aware of any evidence about the long-term safety of e-cigarettes and, as such, would suggest that consumers exercise caution Government spokeswoman | The Department of Health is not aware of any evidence about the long-term safety of e-cigarettes and, as such, would suggest that consumers exercise caution Government spokeswoman |
The report authors said consumers should stop using the devices until ongoing safety studies reported back within the next year. | The report authors said consumers should stop using the devices until ongoing safety studies reported back within the next year. |
The World Health Organisation is among those to raise concerns about the safety of these new types of cigarette substitute, which deliver a nicotine hit in a fine vapour. | The World Health Organisation is among those to raise concerns about the safety of these new types of cigarette substitute, which deliver a nicotine hit in a fine vapour. |
And in the past year, US regulators have detained and blocked numerous shipments of e-cigarettes at borders because the devices are not approved. | And in the past year, US regulators have detained and blocked numerous shipments of e-cigarettes at borders because the devices are not approved. |
In the UK, it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes as a "quit smoking" aid. | In the UK, it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes as a "quit smoking" aid. |
But they are widely available to buy as a "cigarette alternative" over the internet and are sold in a number of places, including some bars and clubs. | |
Andreas Flouris and Dimitris Oikonomou, from the Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation in Greece, say there have been three main reports on e-cigarette safety - one by US regulators, one by a publicly-funded Greek research institute, and another by a private company in New Zealand. | Andreas Flouris and Dimitris Oikonomou, from the Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation in Greece, say there have been three main reports on e-cigarette safety - one by US regulators, one by a publicly-funded Greek research institute, and another by a private company in New Zealand. |
Scant data | Scant data |
The US Food and Drug Administration report expressed concern after finding different brands of the battery operated device delivered markedly different amounts of nicotine vapour with each puff. | The US Food and Drug Administration report expressed concern after finding different brands of the battery operated device delivered markedly different amounts of nicotine vapour with each puff. |
The FDA also detected traces of powerful cancer-causing chemicals. | The FDA also detected traces of powerful cancer-causing chemicals. |
The Greek institute Demokritos took a neutral stance on the products and did not find any evidence of chemical contamination. | The Greek institute Demokritos took a neutral stance on the products and did not find any evidence of chemical contamination. |
Private enterprise Health New Zealand did find cancer-causing chemicals in products, but concluded that overall e-cigarettes should be recommended on the basis of the health risks associated with smoking normal cigarettes. | Private enterprise Health New Zealand did find cancer-causing chemicals in products, but concluded that overall e-cigarettes should be recommended on the basis of the health risks associated with smoking normal cigarettes. |
The researchers told the BMJ: "The scarce evidence indicates the existence of various toxic and carcinogenic compounds in e-cigarettes, albeit in possibly much smaller concentrations than in traditional cigarettes." | The researchers told the BMJ: "The scarce evidence indicates the existence of various toxic and carcinogenic compounds in e-cigarettes, albeit in possibly much smaller concentrations than in traditional cigarettes." |
Smokers' views on e-cigarettes | Smokers' views on e-cigarettes |
Callum Reckless, director at Smart Smoker, a company that sells e-cigarettes, said: "I believe that electronic cigarettes are indeed a safer alternative to smoking real cigarettes." | Callum Reckless, director at Smart Smoker, a company that sells e-cigarettes, said: "I believe that electronic cigarettes are indeed a safer alternative to smoking real cigarettes." |
He welcomed more research into the safety of the products. | He welcomed more research into the safety of the products. |
A Department of Health spokeswoman said it had been working with regulators to test the products and that none of those tested so far complied with product safety regulations. | A Department of Health spokeswoman said it had been working with regulators to test the products and that none of those tested so far complied with product safety regulations. |
She said the government was working to ensure e-cigarettes were labelled and sold appropriately. | She said the government was working to ensure e-cigarettes were labelled and sold appropriately. |
"The Department of Health is not aware of any evidence about the long-term safety of e-cigarettes and, as such, would suggest that consumers exercise caution. | "The Department of Health is not aware of any evidence about the long-term safety of e-cigarettes and, as such, would suggest that consumers exercise caution. |
"E-cigarettes are not promoted by, or available on, the NHS," she said. | "E-cigarettes are not promoted by, or available on, the NHS," she said. |
Deborah Arnott, of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, said: "We do need better data on safety and appropriate regulation for e-cigarettes, although these products are certain to be significantly less hazardous than cigarettes, which lead to premature death in half all long-term users." | Deborah Arnott, of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, said: "We do need better data on safety and appropriate regulation for e-cigarettes, although these products are certain to be significantly less hazardous than cigarettes, which lead to premature death in half all long-term users." |
She said there was demand for the products from smokers - UK estimates suggest around one in ten has already tried them. | She said there was demand for the products from smokers - UK estimates suggest around one in ten has already tried them. |
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