Napaneeguide.com, Estados Unidos. 8 de febrero de 2013

Noticia original disponible en:
Original information available at:
http://www.napaneeguide.com/2013/02/08/e-cigarette-use-concerns-kfla-public-health

E-cigarette use concerns KFL&A Public Health Friday, February 8, 2013 1:50:05 EST PM
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health says that people should think twice before purchasing electronic cigarettes, as there are worries about their safety.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are increasing in availability and use, despite not being authorized for sale in Canada. Tobacco enforcement officers with KFL&A Public Health have found a growing number of convenience store chains and gas stations selling the product.

E-cigarettes heat a liquid mix of nicotine and other unknown chemical ingredients that are then inhaled by the user. These products, designed to mimic real cigarettes, are not approved by Health Canada according to KFL&A Public Health.

In March 2009, Health Canada issued an advisory to Canadians not to purchase or use e-cigarettes and noted that these products have not been authorized for sale in Canada, nor are they approved to be marketed as legitimate smoking-cessation aids.

Despite the advisory, product sales continue to increase, and little is being done to stop the product’s growing popularity.

“E-cigarettes are a growing concern for public health agencies,” said Dave McWilliam, tobacco control manager with KFL&A Public Health. “There is limited evidence to prove they are effect as smoking-cessation aids and their safety has yet to be evaluated. Additional research is needed in these two key areas before these are permitted to be sold.”

Health concerns for e-cigarettes include the varying amount of nicotine and the use of other possibly harmful chemicals in these products. For example, some e-cigarettes have been found to contain over 1,000 mg of nicotine. A lethal dose of nicotine for adults can be as low as 30 to 60 mg and for children, 10 mg. Studies have also indicated that some e-cigarettes contain nitrosamines, which are known to cause cancer in humans, and diethylene glycol, which is an ingredient used in antifreeze.

The type and amount of chemicals in these products needs to be examined more closely.

“At this time we are recommending that the public err on the side of caution and not use these devices. For smokers planning to quit, we recommend proved smoking-cessation aids, such as the nicotine patch, gum or lozenge,” said McWilliam. “Health Canada has approved a number of these products and we recommend they be used with the proper supervision from a health care professional.”

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Canada, costing the Ontario health care system an estimated $1.9 billion annually.

KFL&A Public Health offers a variety of programmes to prevent and reduce the use of tobacco, and to protect the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

For more information on e-cigarettes or smoking-cessation services, call the KFL&A Public Health Tobacco Information Line at 613-549-1232 x1333.