Electronic cigarettes – more commonly known as e-cigarettes – that contain nicotine should be treated as regular tobacco products and should be subjected to the same regulations.
It is as simple as that.
There should be no two ways about this.
It is high time, Canada become very tough on the free distribution and sale of e-cigarettes.
In recent years, as more and more people give up smoking some businesses have come up with e-cigarettes.
Some companies have been spending a bundle to promote these cigarettes.
And guess which group is being particularly targeted.
Of course, it is the youths, both males and females.
These cigarettes continue to grow in popularity.
The cigarettes first appeared for sale in most areas of Canada in 2011.
Companies have been have been stressing these cigarettes is a benign alternative to traditional tobacco products.
They also emphasize these cigarettes is an effective smoking-cessation tool that has helped thousands around the world.
But, when you hear what the World Health Organization has to say, then you begin to wonder who is telling the truth.
Even Health Canada is taking a second look at this popular brand of cigarettes which come in numerous flavors from mango to mint.
It is true the huge and sudden growth in the e-cigarettes is mainly driven by novelty and the new emerging fashion.
The United Nations health agency has already called for member countries to prohibit e-cigarette sales to minors and ban their use indoors until more evidence can be gathered about the risks.
There is no doubt the publicity surrounding e-cigarettes and their increasing use is already presenting a public health dilemma.
“E-cigarettes are a story of both risks and promises,” said Dr. Douglas Bettcher, director of the World Health Organization’s department of prevention of non-communicable diseases. “”In a sense they are a double edged sword.”
Electronic cigarettes are battery operated.
They do not contain tobacco but can be used to heat a liquid nicotine solution
The users inhale vapours resembling smoke.
Many experts believe these cigarettes contain numerous chemicals.
To date, Health Canada has not approved any e-cigarette under the Food and Drugs Act.
According to recent studies done by the Canadian Cancer Society, the new e-cigarettes contain many addictive substances.
It may not possible to ban e-cigarettes outright.
However, it should be possible to impose stricter regulations.
There should be a ban on sale of these cigarettes to minors.
There should also be some restrictions on where these cigarettes can be smoked.
