The Jerusalem Post

Health Ministry warns against e-cigs containing dangerous drugs

Filler liquids include ‘Nice Guy’ and the psychoacti­ve drug THC

- • By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

In its second official warning about electric cigarettes containing substances that could endanger public health, the Health Ministry saidsued a statement that e-cigs sold in kiosks, in social networks and on the Internet have filler liquids including “Nice Guy” and the psychoacti­ve drug THC.

Synthetic drugs called ADB-BUTINACA and MDMB4en-Pinaca have been identified in Nice Guy products. According to experts, they are illegal, highly dangerous, powerful, addictive and have caused the deaths of adolescent­s and the hospitaliz­ation of many others in various countries.

They may also trigger mental and physical effects, including psychotic disorders including psychosis, anxiety and panic attacks; severe effects on the brain, including cerebral edema; kidney damage; heart damage; and bleeding in the digestive system. Since the risk of consuming the drug is already high, mixing Nice Guy in e-cigarette liquids may significan­tly increase the risk of using the drug, since this action causes higher

doses of the toxic substance to be absorbed, the ministry warned.

E-cigs may also contain the fatty E vitamin, tocopherol, whose uncontroll­ed use can lead to severe lung damage and has even killed people in the US. These products, marketed under the names “RM PREMIUM,” “Snoop Dogg” and “Fume ORJOY” are sold

against the law. Another electronic cigarette is marketed without labeling. Samples were tested at the toxicologi­cal laboratory at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

The ministry asks anyone who has been harmed by the use of such banned substances to contact its department for enforcemen­t and supervisio­n through the Kol Habriut

hotline (5400*) or by email at modiin@moh.gov.il.

Meanwhile, the Israel Cancer Associatio­n (ICA) has launched yet another media campaign against vaping, to mark World No-Smoking Day on May 31. Those involved, including actresses Ruslana Rodina and Ravid Ronen, have donated their time for the effort.

 ?? (Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters) ?? A SALESMAN at a vape shop in Jakarta, Indonesia, demonstrat­es his wares.
(Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters) A SALESMAN at a vape shop in Jakarta, Indonesia, demonstrat­es his wares.

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