In recent weeks we have regularly talked about the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which took place at New Delhi in India from 7 to November 12. Following the closure of this we were anxiously awaiting the conclusions and decisions of the World Health Organization concerning the e-cigarette, finally, it took only a few days to obtain them.
WHO CALLS ON STATES TO BAN OR REGULATE E-CIGARETTE
It is by a press release that the World Health Organization has unveiled its findings. Regarding e-cigarettes with nicotine (ENDS) or without nicotine (ENNDS) the WHO "invites the Parties which have not yet prohibited the import, sale and distribution of ENDS / ENNDS consider either banning or regulating these products"
Also, “the Parties called for more scientifically-based, unbiased and commercially independent research to determine the overall health impact and long-term risks for the public health of the ENDS / ENNDS. "
According to WHO, some parties have expressed concern over the use of health claims as a marketing tool for ENDS / ENNDS. It was also taken into account that all ENDS / ENNDS should be regulated by national legislation in the same way as drugs or tobacco products. As a reminder, some countries have even asked that they be banned (Thailand, Kenya and Nigeria).
Despite many existing studies, despite the position of the English Public Health (PHE), The World Health Organization has found no better than to invite States to ban or regulate e-cigarettes.
