In Australia, one of the world's leading tobacco control experts today called for tighter regulation of e-cigarettes while warning lawmakers of their potential dangers.
The warning comes bizarrely on the day the government prepares to discuss possible reform of e-cigarette legislation. The Professor Srinath Reddy, a cardiologist also president of the World Heart Federation, said that viewing e-cigarettes as beneficial to public health was "a trap to avoid". " There are several reasons why I believe they should not be considered harmless and should be heavily regulated just like tobacco! "While adding" They contain harmful substances just like tobacco and are potentially a gateway to smoking for young people. »
Le Professor Reddy, who was speaking to an audience in the Legislature on Wednesday night, said the e-cigarette debate was ongoing, but the government would need to enact strong restrictions. " We've already made a mistake before with low tar cigarettes and ultimately the health effects were just as bad, ”He said.
« There is a part of the tobacco control community that thinks e-cigarettes can be a way to reduce the dangers of tobacco, but we believe that they should be heavily regulated as long as their harms remain unknown.."
Over 240 proposals were submitted to the government after the publication of a discussion paper in November. While the government has yet to announce its policy direction 
on e-cigarettes, the nature of certain proposals is already dividing opinion.
The " Cancer Council Expressed concern that e-cigarette use could act as a gateway to tobacco for adolescents. Australian Medical Association also condemned the use of starter pack offered to new users. " The wide variety of aromas based on sweet fruits, candies, alcohol as well as the chocolate flavored nicotine solutions could appeal to children and young people.».
More Tobacco and Other Drugs Association criticized the discussion paper for not paying enough attention to the potential benefits of e-cigarettes and for being based on assumptions.
For Professor Reddy " Politicians should be wary of tobacco companies investing in e-cigarette companies and their real motives". " Big tobacco is quickly acquiring e-cigarette companies and will therefore become the main distributor of the products, but why would they want to invest in something that is likely to sink their own market? »
The manufacturer " Nicoventures“, Created by British American Tobacco in 2010, hailed the“ establishment of a legislative framework that will allow access to regulated e-cigarette products". Professor Reddy recalled that “ Australia was a forerunner in establishing the neutral package and their tobacco tax reforms had gained international recognition"
Source : Canberratimes.com.au
