The World Health Organization has released a report regarding the use of electronic cigarettes and is calling on government and health agencies across the globe to ban these devices in public places as well as in places of work, much like the restrictions that are now being strictly imposed on conventional cigarettes. They also gave out strong recommendations on banning fruit flavored additives that are used with these products to prevent young people from being attracted to try them.
The report says that, "E-cigarettes and similar devices are frequently marketed by manufacturers as aids to quit smoking, or as healthier alternatives to tobacco, and require global regulation in the interest of public health. "Legal steps should be taken to end the use of E-cigarettes indoors, in public, and workplaces. Evidence suggests that exhaled e-cigarette aerosol increases the background air level of some toxicants, nicotine, and particles." The researchers also contradicted manufacturers' claims that these devices emit "water vapor," adding that while they may be less toxic than conventional cigarettes, they may still have dangerous effects on health.
Authors of the report also said that there is more research that needs to go into the use of these electronic devices and whether or not if they could actually help people to quit smoking. In the meantime, however, it is appealing to government agencies to regulate the promotion and advertising electronic cigarettes and make sure that they are not being directed towards younger consumers. The market niche for electronic cigarettes has grown since 2005. From it's beginnings as a single manufacturer in China, it has now expanded to become a global business that has an estimated worth of $3 billion. There are now as much as 8000 different flavors of electronic cigarettes and experts are getting increasingly concerned that this could be a step towards the development of nicotine addiction and smoking habits for young people.
