Raising The Bar For E-Cigs

Just yer average e-cig user, yesterday

Tobacco control have kept this quiet, haven't they?

The persistent use of different forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is an under-investigated issue in medical research. While the data concerning the proportion of long-term users in the population of total NRT users seems reassuring at first glance, we must recognize that the small relative numbers (proportions) conceal a population of persistent NRT users with a considerable absolute number of members. Furthermore, only a small amount of data is available concerning the safety of persistent NRT use. At the present time we therefore have no basis for declaring that the population of long-term users are under cover (we are only able to state that persistent use of NRT is undoubtedly safer than the continuation of smoking). Consequently, there is a need to conduct large-scale studies with the primary aim of monitoring for misuse of OTC NRT and assessing the possible physical and mental health risks of persistent NRT use.

My my, a risk to long term use of nicotine products? Best get them out of supermarkets pronto under the precautionary principle, then.

It's the done thing in Ireland, after all ...

Electronic cigarettes have been removed from the shelves of leading Irish pharmacies because the products may be unsafe.

... and the US ...

"So I did some research," said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat and 20-year smoker who quit more than a dozen years ago. "I found what is in the e-cigarettes is a mystery."

She wants to ban them in New York until they are more thoroughly investigated and regulated.

... and Canada ...

Health Canada is advising Canadians not to purchase or use electronic smoking products, as these products may pose health risks and have not been fully evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy by Health Canada.

... and Australia ...

The 70 packages containing liquid nicotine e-cigarettes were seized and destroyed at Brisbane Airport’s postal screening service last week.

Some people use them as a tool to quit smoking, but Queensland Health officials have warned regional Queenslanders not to buy them online from the various websites.

... and Argentina ...

"There is no scientific evidence that validates these products as auxiliary measures to stop smoking, nor their safety," said Roberto Lede, a senior official in Argentina's state regulatory office said.

The statement mentioned a World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation stating that the level of safety and the degree of nicotine absorption by these products has not been established.

... etc, etc, etc, ad infinitum.

In light of the fact that long term use hasn't yet been proven safe (in addition to the highly dangerous consequences of kids getting hold of it), I can't see what would be stopping the immediate withdrawal of NRT retail sales, can you?

Public health officials are backing away from recommending against the long-term use of nicotine gum, lozenges and patches. The Food and Drug Administration is considering whether to eliminate the 12-week warning and instead recommend nicotine-based quit-smoking aids for extended—perhaps even permanent—use. Anti-tobacco activists and GlaxoSmithKline PLC, the U.S.'s leading marketer of nicotine-replacement therapy, or NRT, are also backing the potential move.

Oh yeah, there is that, I suppose.

It ceased being about health a long time ago, really. Didn't it.