In South Africa, anti-tobacco lobbyists have decided to tackle vaping by campaigning for a change in the law. The war against electronic cigarettes could well take place!
THE E-CIGARETTE IS « ALWAYS HARMFUL AND NOT RISKFUL«
It was the South African media "IOL" which was able to speak with Savera Kalideen, the director of the National Council Against Smoking. According to her, vaping products should not be compared to cigarettes, even though they have their own dangers.
«We believe that the law (on the control of tobacco products) should be changed, as there is evidence of a nuisance from e-cigarettes. This is not covered by the current law because there were no electronic cigarettes or vaping when it was adopted. »
Savera Kalideen explained that the products were not marketed properly in South Africa and as a result some people did not use them correctly.
» We know they contain nicotine and can lead to increased blood pressure, lung disease and heart problems. You can use them to quit smoking, but they are still harmful and are not without risk. »
«Initially, the electronic cigarette was designed to prevent people from smoking, but now they are sold to everyone and people who have never smoked use them ... »
NO REGULATIONS WHICH PLACE E-CIGARETTE WITH TOBACCO!
Kabir Kaleechum, director of the Vaping Products Association of South Africa (APV), said he was concerned about possible regulation of e-cigarettes.
« The two processes are not comparable. Smoking is based on tobacco consumption and health risks are known, while vaping is based on a process of heating and releasing nicotine »
« In many countries, legislation places electronic cigarettes on the same level as tobacco. In South Africa, electronic cigarettes are not covered by the Tobacco Products Control Act or the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act. At the moment, it seems that the combustion process and the presence of smoke prevent electronic cigarettes from being considered cigarettes. »
The products also do not fall under the Medicines Act as they are marketed only for "recreational" purposes.
Popo Maja, spokesperson for the National Department of Health, said that although there are plans to change the status of vaping, the products are "normalizing" smoking behavior.
According to him, " if the electronic cigarette is marketed as a “safe” alternative to smoking, the reality remains that it is not harmless and that it contributes to normalizing the behavior of the smoker «
