The Belgian recommendations should limit the use of electronic cigarettes to smokers in difficulty to quit and prohibit its use by pregnant women and adolescents, estimates the Respiratory Allocations Fund (Fares). In a statement released on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, May 31, the organization recalls the toxicity of nicotine contained in some e-cigarettes.
If the toxicity of nicotine is minor compared to the multiple components of tobacco smoke, it should be remembered that nicotine has its own harmfulness, particularly for pregnant women and children, notes the Fares.
The electronic cigarette, sometimes seen as an aid in stopping smoking, according to Fares has a similar impact to the nicotine patch, “ to know weak". For smokers at risk of developing serious illnesses, but unable or unwilling to quit, the Fares believes that the e-cigarette with nicotine may be of benefit. But " only a decrease of 85% of cigarettes (traditional) smoked seems to bring a health gain“, Notes the organization. She therefore wants the e-cigarette to be limited to this public in difficulty of quitting and that its use by pregnant women or adolescents be prohibited.
The Fares also wants non-smoking adults not to be considered a target audience. He fears that the electronic cigarette does not constitute, especially for adolescents, an initiation into the act of smoking and a first contact with nicotine.
Currently, e-cigarettes containing nicotine are considered medicinal products in Belgium and are only sold in pharmacies. Only devices containing tobacco derivatives and / or flavorings but devoid of nicotine are marketed. But the Member States of the European Union have until May 2016 to adapt their legislation and consider the electronic cigarette as a tobacco product and not as a medicine.
Source : lavenir.net
