Translation: Bordering on libel, Finland ASH chairman pitches in on ecigs

This is something I felt I had to get out, again just a translation unaltered. The specific part about the PHE report will be also sent to the authors of the paper. This is not some random guy off the street, he's a prominent figure in the field of tobacco control. I feel like disparaging your colleagues in public in a language they cannot understand is just unacceptable behavior. Ofcourse they need to be regulated, that doesn't even need justification.. But blatant lying about the issue is only going to do more HARM.
Original here: http://www.suomenash.fi/fin/ajankohtaista/2016/02/miksi-sahkosavukkeita-on-saadeltava/


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Why electronic cigarettes must be regulated?

Chairman of Suomen ASH ry, professor Pekka Puska speaks out on the regulation of electronic cigarettes.

Stopping the acquiring, trying and using nicotine containing electronic cigarettes has not been possible. The products are also tried by non-smokers and on the other hand seem to be appealing especially to youth who already use other tobacco products.

Youth interest in electronic cigarettes has been increasing significantly in the last few years: only five percent of 12-18 year olds do not know, what an electronic cigarette is. Half of the youth who have tried electronic cigarettes has used nicotine containing liquids in them. Most commonly electronic cigarettes are used by boys in polytechnic schools, seven percent is vaping daily, 13 percent occasionally.

Electronic cigarette liquid flavoring agents (like strawberry, chocolate and vanilla) and the appearance of the device are important factors in their attractiveness to youth.

Electronic cigarette can impede quitting smoking

Some electronic cigarette users experience help in smoking cessation, but there is no evidence of their effectiveness in quitting smoking on a population level. On the contrary: According to a recent American study electronic cigarettes undermines the users’ chances of getting rid of smoking. According to another study youth who try electronic cigarettes, are more sensitive to starting smoking regular tobacco.

Nicotine causes strong dependence and changes the structure and function of the brain permanently. If electronic cigarettes are marketed as smoking cessation aids, nicotine containing electronic cigarettes should be regulated under the medical legislation like other nicotine containing medical products. This way their marketing and use would have oversight.

Compared to nicotine replacement products, like nicotine gum or patch, electronic cigarettes have been studied relatively little. Information on the impact of electronic cigarettes on for example lung diseases and subsequent mortality can be obtained only after years, even decades.

The effects of inhaled flavoring is unknown

Electronic cigarette liquids form vapor from chemicals, such as glycerol and propylene glycol, which have been classified as safe for food- and hygiene products. However, there is no systematic, longitudinal study based information on how these substances affect when vaporized and inhaled. There are indications that the flavorings used in electronic cigarettes have harmful effects on health. Vapor from nicotine free electronic cigarettes also contains harmful substances, although less than cigarettes.

Electronic cigarette vs cigarette

Almost any product is safer than a cigarette, since cigarettes kill more than half of their users. Electronic cigarettes are broadly a form of smoking, which is forcefully advocated by the industry. However, electronic cigarettes are both harmful in many ways and suited to sustain a society favorable to smoking.

According to a report Public Health England (PHE) published less than a year ago, electronic cigarettes are 95 percent safer than regular cigarettes and an effective aid to quit smoking. However, this conclusion is based on only a single study, which is funded by electronic cigarette and cigarette companies.

Execution, results and the expertise of the authors of the report has been disputed by many prestigious parties, like medical journals Lancet and British Medical Journal, British Medical Association, the United States National Institutes of Health and the World health organization WHO. WHO has also recommended, that electronic cigarettes would not be used until their safety has been verified.

(sidebar)

-          Nicotine contained in electronic cigarette causes strong dependence

-          Electronic cigarettes are also marketed to children and youth, which can lead to a new generation of nicotine addicts

-          Nicotine dependence also often leads to mixed use of different tobacco products, also including cigarettes that is

-          Nicotine is a powerful poison and even a small amount can be fatal to a small child

-          Scientifically sound evidence of the efficacy and safety as a smoking cessation aid does not exist

-          Electronic cigarette flavorings can be dangerous to health when inhaled

More information:

Pekka Puska

Professor

Chairman, Suomen ASH ry

pekka.puska@thl.fi

Sources:

Longitudinal study of e-cigarette use and onset of cigarette smoking among high school students in Hawaii. Tobacco Control 25.11.2015
E-cigarettes and smoking cessation in real-world and clinical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 14.1.2016
Nicotine as a Health Risk. Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum 2.12.2015
UK report claiming e-cigs 95% safer than cigs based on one industry-linked report raises questions PHE’s scientific dredibility. University of California, 16.9.2015
Evidence about electronic cigarettes: a foundation built on rock or sand?The British Medical Journal, 15.9.2015
E-cigarettes: Public Health England's evidence-based confusion, The Lancet, 29.8.2015
E-cigarette industry funded experts who ruled vaping is safe: Official advice is based on research scientists in the pay of manufacturers. London Daily Mail, 28.8.2015
E-cigarettes: an evidence update A report commissioned by Public Health England. PHE 2015.
Sähkösavukkeet eivät ratkaise tupakointiongelmaa. Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos. 3.9.2015
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Sähkösavukkeiden terveyteen liittyvät vaikutukset ja teho tupakoinnin lopettamisessa. Tutkimuksesta tiiviisti 19, kesäkuu 2015. Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos.
Sähkösavuke-sivut. Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos
12 ways to reduce your cancer risk. IARC 2015.
16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health
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Luonnos: Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle tupakkalaiksi ja laeiksi eräiden siihen liittyvien lakien muuttamisesta. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö, 11.8.2015