Skip to content
Children — Cigarette — E-Cigarettes — false information — Geneva — Health — Hot-Topics — International — Marketing — Nicotine — Pregnancy — Science — Tobacco — tobacco group — Tobacco industry — vape — vaporizer — WHO — World Health Organization

E-cigarettes: serious accusations by the WHO against the tobacco industry

E-cigarettes: serious accusations by the WHO against the tobacco industry

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
E-cigarettes: serious accusations by the WHO against the tobacco industry
E-cigarettes: serious accusations by the WHO against the tobacco industry

Title: WHO Slams Tobacco Industry for Misleading E-cigarette Claims and Child Recruitment

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a firm stance against the tobacco industry, calling out its practices of spreading misinformation and targeting children in the advertising of e-cigarettes. In Geneva, the UN agency criticized the industry for financing and disseminating false evidence to argue that these products are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, saying, "E-cigarettes are not a suitable alternative for reducing tobacco consumption."

E-cigarettes vs. Traditional Cigarettes

Tobacco companies argue that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a less harmful alternative to the tar and other carcinogens found in traditional cigarettes. However, the WHO points out that the use of electronic nicotine vaporizers also produces toxic substances. These substances can cause cancer and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as harm unborn children and impair the mental development of underage consumers.

Industry's Harmful Marketing Strategies

The WHO accused the tobacco industry of targeting children with its marketing campaigns, recruiting young individuals before they're fully aware of the risks associated with nicotine. WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned, "Children are being recruited to use e-cigarettes at a young age and lured into a trap."

To combat this trend, the WHO advised countries to make e-cigarettes less attractive by banning flavors, reducing the nicotine content, and levying taxes on these products.

Enrichment Insights

Health organizations, like the WHO, advocate for stricter regulations regarding e-cigarettes. The rise in popularity of these devices can, in part, be attributed to the industry's aggressive marketing strategies, which are challenging to regulate online. Exposure to e-cigarette advertising is widespread, potentially leading to higher rates of youth e-cigarette use.

  1. E-cigarette manufacturers utilize various strategies to appeal to the young market, such as incorporating child-friendly packaging, social media promotions, and celebrity endorsements.
  2. Products designed for stealth vaping allow adolescents to conceal vaping from their parents and teachers, further increasing their appeal.
  3. Regulatory efforts are essential to prevent recruitment of children into e-cigarette use and to mitigate the negative health impacts associated with these products.

[1] [2] American Lung Association. (2019). Education and Advocacy. E-cigarettes and Youth. [3] Cosmic, F., & Thrasher, J. F. (2021). Pediatric nicotine dependence. In The Sage handbook of nicotine, alcohol, and other drug use (Vol. 1, pp. 365-385). SAGE Publications.

Latest