E-cigs health warning
Government's alert criticised by group citing benefits of vaping as safer substitute for cigarettes and a tool to help smokers quit
A Spanish government's alert over the use and effectiveness of e-cigarettes has draw criticism from groups citing the benefits of vaping as a safer substitute for cigarettes and a tool to help smokers quit.
THE HEALTH ministry has issued a warning to the 450,000 users of electronic cigarettes in Spain. However, a pro-vaping group has accused the health authorities of 'unfounded alarmism'.
The health ministry said last week that carcinogens had been detected in the liquid and vapour produced by so-called e-cigarettes.
It added that the devices work by heating an aerosol which contains nicotine in quantities equal to or greater than an ordinary cigarette.
This, it continued, produces psychological and addictive effects equivalent to those generated by lighting tobacco.
The ministry of health stated that it has agreed with the regional health authorities that, for these reasons, health risks associated with e-cigarettes cannot be ruled out.
The Public Health Commission went as far as warning smokers not to use e-cigarette products and recommending that sales restrictions on conventional cigarettes should also apply to the electronic versions.
However, the lobby group MOVE (Medical Organisations supporting Vaping and Electronic Cigarettes) described the comments as an 'ultraconservative stance' against products which have been successful in helping 'thousands of smokers to replace tobacco with less harmful alternatives'.
It accused the health author- ities of ' unfounded alarmism' and cited the British Ministry of Health which, it claims, has reported that 20,000 people have quit smoking by using electronic cigarettes.