FDA discourages use of e-cigarettes
FDA discourages use of e-cigarettes | News | GMA News Online
While they may look like a harmless alternative to the real thing, the so-called electronic cigarettes could actually be harmful and should not be used, Philippine health officials advised the public Friday.
Aside from the absence of scientific evidence to support e-cigarettes' safety and efficacy, the device can even harm youths by promoting smoking, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration warned.
"Contrary to what some marketers of the electronic cigarette imply in their advertisements, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not consider it to be a legitimate therapy for smokers trying to quit," FDA head Kenneth Go said in FDA Advisory 2013-008.
"The public is advised NOT to smoke at all and NOT to use cigarettes, cigars, or e-cigarettes," he added in the advisory dated April 10, but was posted on the FDA website Friday.
E-cigarettes are gaining popularity among many smokers, and are being sold in several stores and even overpasses and sidewalks in Metro Manila.
But Go quoted Dr. Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General of the WHO's Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster, as saying the e-cigarette "is not a proven nicotine replacement therapy."
He also quoted Alwan as saying the WHO has "no scientific evidence to confirm the product's safety and efficacy," and echoed Alwan's position that e-cigarette marketers "should immediately remove from their websites and other informational materials any suggestion that WHO considers it to be a safe and effective smoking cessation aid."
In the Philippines, Go said the FDA has not registered any electronic cigarette products "and will not register them as health products."
Worse, Go said the e-cigarette runs contrary to Republic Act 9211, the tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which protects the youth from nicotine addiction.
The law also seeks to protect youths from chronic respiratory diseases, including cancer, due to the inhalation of highly toxic substances found in tobacco and cigarettes.
"Wittingly or unwittingly, the electronic cigarette promotes smoking among children and the youth. It makes them less fearful of hazards and risks of smoking. It is opposed to the DOH health goal to stop cigarette smoking and tobacco use," Go said. — LBG, GMA News
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Sharing news related to e-cig we should know Now Philippine against e-cig, will we see lesser pinoy mods?
FDA discourages use of e-cigarettes | News | GMA News Online
While they may look like a harmless alternative to the real thing, the so-called electronic cigarettes could actually be harmful and should not be used, Philippine health officials advised the public Friday.
Aside from the absence of scientific evidence to support e-cigarettes' safety and efficacy, the device can even harm youths by promoting smoking, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration warned.
"Contrary to what some marketers of the electronic cigarette imply in their advertisements, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not consider it to be a legitimate therapy for smokers trying to quit," FDA head Kenneth Go said in FDA Advisory 2013-008.
"The public is advised NOT to smoke at all and NOT to use cigarettes, cigars, or e-cigarettes," he added in the advisory dated April 10, but was posted on the FDA website Friday.
E-cigarettes are gaining popularity among many smokers, and are being sold in several stores and even overpasses and sidewalks in Metro Manila.
But Go quoted Dr. Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General of the WHO's Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster, as saying the e-cigarette "is not a proven nicotine replacement therapy."
He also quoted Alwan as saying the WHO has "no scientific evidence to confirm the product's safety and efficacy," and echoed Alwan's position that e-cigarette marketers "should immediately remove from their websites and other informational materials any suggestion that WHO considers it to be a safe and effective smoking cessation aid."
In the Philippines, Go said the FDA has not registered any electronic cigarette products "and will not register them as health products."
Worse, Go said the e-cigarette runs contrary to Republic Act 9211, the tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which protects the youth from nicotine addiction.
The law also seeks to protect youths from chronic respiratory diseases, including cancer, due to the inhalation of highly toxic substances found in tobacco and cigarettes.
"Wittingly or unwittingly, the electronic cigarette promotes smoking among children and the youth. It makes them less fearful of hazards and risks of smoking. It is opposed to the DOH health goal to stop cigarette smoking and tobacco use," Go said. — LBG, GMA News
______________________________________
Sharing news related to e-cig we should know Now Philippine against e-cig, will we see lesser pinoy mods?