Expert: New Zealand Should Allow Nicotine E-cigarettes on the Market

　　According to the New Zealand Chinese Herald, a research report published today in a New Zealand medical journal shows that e-cigarettes contain about 1% of the toxic substances found in regular cigarettes. The study tested the levels of nicotine and other harmful substances in e-cigarettes and found that the nicotine content in e-cigarettes is about 50% to 75% of that in regular cigarettes, while the overall level of toxic substances is 100 times lower than that of conventional cigarettes. Specifically, compared with one Marlboro king-size cigarette, one e-cigarette contains 0.93% as much formaldehyde, 0.04% as much acetaldehyde, and 0.43% as much acrolein.

　　Murray Laugesen, the author of the study, said that a certain amount of nicotine in e-cigarettes can effectively help people quit smoking. Murray also said that the purpose of the study is to stop people from fearing other risks of e-cigarettes without reason.

　　It is understood that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can currently only be purchased online, and selling them on the retail market is illegal. Experts are now calling for changes to relevant laws and regulations so that e-cigarettes can be sold on the market; otherwise, this will become an obstacle preventing people from quitting smoking.