Kiwi researcher gives backing to e-cigarettes - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz
<snips>
Thousands of smokers are importing Chinese-made battery-powered "e-cigarettes", which are banned from sale despite a Kiwi researcher winning international attention for supporting them.
Christchurch public health researcher Murray Laugesen has done the only major international study and he endorses their use.
He told The Dominion Post his peer-reviewed paper would be published in April but he feared authorities in New Zealand were "developing a hardening attitude toward them" and would outlaw their use.
He said that, on a puff-per-puff basis, the strongest cartridge delivered about one- third the amount of nicotine delivered by a normal cigarette.
They were clear of cancer-causing gases and tar and were cheaper.
WHO's assistant director-general of noncommunicable diseases, Ala Alwan, says e-cigarettes are "not a proven nicotine replacement therapy".
Dr Laugesen said about 250 Chinese manufacturers were now making the product, which sells over the internet for about $120 for the starter kits.
"All pointers so far show the device is safe," Dr Laugesen said.
He believed thousands were being imported. It was not illegal to import them for personal use but it was currently against the law to sell them as nicotine replacements.
<snips>
Thousands of smokers are importing Chinese-made battery-powered "e-cigarettes", which are banned from sale despite a Kiwi researcher winning international attention for supporting them.
Christchurch public health researcher Murray Laugesen has done the only major international study and he endorses their use.
He told The Dominion Post his peer-reviewed paper would be published in April but he feared authorities in New Zealand were "developing a hardening attitude toward them" and would outlaw their use.
He said that, on a puff-per-puff basis, the strongest cartridge delivered about one- third the amount of nicotine delivered by a normal cigarette.
They were clear of cancer-causing gases and tar and were cheaper.
WHO's assistant director-general of noncommunicable diseases, Ala Alwan, says e-cigarettes are "not a proven nicotine replacement therapy".
Dr Laugesen said about 250 Chinese manufacturers were now making the product, which sells over the internet for about $120 for the starter kits.
"All pointers so far show the device is safe," Dr Laugesen said.
He believed thousands were being imported. It was not illegal to import them for personal use but it was currently against the law to sell them as nicotine replacements.
