Experts Suggest Safety Assessments for Unbranded “Three-No” E-Cigarettes

Introduction: Recently, the World Health Organization released a report in Geneva stating that e-cigarettes also produce toxic substances and pose health risks. Governments around the world should take measures to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. In response to unbranded "three-no" e-cigarettes, experts suggest conducting safety assessments and strengthening regulation.

According to news from China E-cigarette Information, the World Health Organization's official website shows that e-cigarettes are now sold in over 50 countries and regions. In 2013, global e-cigarette sales reached approximately $3 billion. Due to the unproven safety of e-cigarettes, governments around the world have varying attitudes and policies towards them, with some countries, including Brazil, Norway, and Singapore, beginning to restrict or completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes.

On August 26, the World Health Organization reported in Geneva that e-cigarettes also produce toxic substances and pose health risks, and that governments should take measures to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

Experts suggest that the production, marketing, and sale of e-cigarettes should be regulated, treating e-cigarettes as pharmaceuticals. At the same time, a complete ban on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of e-cigarettes should be implemented, and e-cigarettes should not be promoted as smoking cessation aids. Their use should also be prohibited in public places, workplaces, and public transportation.

Experts indicate that despite the large production volume, China's e-cigarettes are still in a "three-no" state: no product standards, no quality supervision, and no safety assessments. Due to the current lack of clear classification and definition of e-cigarettes, it is difficult to designate them as specific regulatory targets, leading to disorder in production and a lack of regulation.

Given that the main component of e-cigarettes is nicotine, which is an addictive and highly toxic substance, it is suggested that the National Medical Products Administration regulate them as pharmaceuticals.

Experts recommend that national health and drug administration departments should specifically establish projects, organize professionals, allocate research funding, conduct scientific evaluations of the safety of e-cigarettes, and propose scientifically sound policies to be responsible for the health of smokers and those around them.