Vaping helps to quit smoking, reduces the risk of death associated with tobacco. This is why seven experts take a stand in favor of the electronic cigarette.
Is the electronic cigarette threatened in the United States? Seven tobacco experts worry about it in the review Addiction. They underline a rather unfavorable position of the health authorities vis-à-vis these products. However, the evidence available in the scientific literature seems to tilt in favor of vaping. They develop firm advocacy with a view to reducing the risks of smoking.
An unfavorable position
In the United States, the Food and Drug Authority is responsible for regulating the marketing of e-cigarettes. She has pointed out several times that they could constitute a “gateway” to tobacco. A somewhat narrow view of the situation, deplores David Levy, of Georgetown University (Washington, DC): “We believe that the discussions have so far been directed against the electronic cigarette, which is unfortunate because the more general vision shows us that these products are mainly used by people who already smoke or who are at risk of doing so. “
The authorities are particularly concerned about the attraction that vaping may have on a younger audience. Wrongly: a study conducted in Paris showed that young non-smokers did not choose this product. It even tends to reduce smoking in this audience.
Against taxes
Whether in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, the fall in the number of smokers has accelerated significantly over the past two years. A decline which coincides with the arrival on the market of electronic cigarettes. Vaping could even counter the deleterious effects of smoking, add the authors: mortality associated with tobacco is reduced by 5% in this audience.
The experts who signed this study therefore adopt a now classic position: a discourse in favor of risk reduction. “The first goal of tobacco control policies should be to discourage tobacco use while empowering smokers to quit more easily, even if that means going through e-cigarettes for a while rather than to stop all nicotine consumption, ”they write. From this perspective, regulating the market and taxing products would be counterproductive, since it reserved access to e-cigarettes to people who can afford it.
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