According to a Belgian expert report, the e-cigarette should only be sold in pharmacies. This in the same way as other tobacco substitutes.
As is often the case in the European Union, countries find it difficult to come to an agreement. And the legislation concerning electronic cigarettes is no exception to the rule. Indeed, in Belgium, the experts appointed by the Superior Health Council (CSS) considered that the product could not be sold outside pharmacies. A surprising position after the recent vote of the European Parliament which massively opposed this measure. This surprising position comes from a report exclusively obtained by the Belgian daily. The evening.
In pharmacies, like other tobacco substitutes
This report comes from Belgian experts from different specialties (pneumology, oncology, and toxicology) appointed by the Superior Health Council (CSS) to decide the fate of this type of cigarette. These doctors point out in particular “the presence of toxic substances in insufficiently known quantities and whose long-term safety has, moreover, not been sufficiently studied. “In addition, they also implicate” a great diversity of products which poses different problems in terms of labeling or nicotine dosage. “
As a result, they believe that the product, which is now sold as a possible new way to quit smoking, should be subject to safety and efficacy criteria. However, experts stress that currently, “no product marketed in the Kingdom of Belgium meets these conditions. “
Studies needed to ensure product is safe
In addition, the CSS considers that the effectiveness of the product is still not proven against gums and patches, and that the e-cigarette could maintain the addiction by the continuity of the gesture with the real cigarette. Surprising, because this latest statement contradicts the very latest New Zealand study on the subject. According to these researchers, the e-cigarette is a smoking cessation tool at least as effective as nicotine patches.
For all these reasons, the experts’ conclusion is final. “The sale of e-cigarettes should be limited to pharmacies and advertising would also be limited. Experts also advocate that smoking an e-cigarette in places where smoking is prohibited should remain prohibited. The report was approved on Wednesday by the CSS and will soon be sent to the Minister of Health Laurette Onkelinx (PS).
The e-cigarette should not be a drug according to French doctors
The position of Belgian doctors is in total contraction with that of French doctors. “Making the electronic cigarette a drug is not very wise”, recently estimated Professor Bertrand Dautzenberg, president of the French Office for the prevention of smoking. From his point of view, the e-cigarette as a consumer product is aimed at everyone, including young people.
And thanks to this free trade, the product can make people who are not motivated to quit smoking. “If we take smokers who agree to quit smoking, we select 1/5 of smokers. While the e-cigarette has the advantage of targeting 100% of smokers. The latter, who sometimes use this product just to test it, very often find themselves caught in the process of stopping smoking, ”he concluded.
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