WHO accuses tobacco industry of deliberately misleading consumers in vape promotion

The World Health Organization (WHO) has accused the tobacco industry of spreading false information and marketing e-cigarettes to children.

In a statement released in Geneva on Thursday, the UN agency said the tobacco industry “funds and promotes false evidence to argue that these products reduce harm.” WHO called for stricter regulation of such products.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned: “Children are being lured at an early age and trapped into using e-cigarettes, and may become addicted to nicotine.”

WHO wants countries to make e-cigarettes less appealing by banning flavor additives, reducing nicotine levels, and imposing taxes on these products.

Tobacco companies promote e-cigarettes as nicotine products that can reduce health risks compared with conventional cigarettes.

However, WHO points out that using e-cigarettes also produces toxic substances that may cause cancer and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In addition, unborn children may be harmed in the womb, and underage users may also experience impaired mental development.

The organization noted that in all WHO regions, the rate of e-cigarette use among children aged 13 to 15 is higher than among adults.

The organization also noted that in Canada, e-cigarette use among teenagers aged 16 to 19 doubled between 2017 and 2022.

In the UK, meanwhile, the number of young users has tripled over the past three years.

According to WHO, e-cigarettes are not an appropriate substitute for reducing tobacco consumption, because their addictive nature increases the likelihood that users will switch to conventional cigarettes.