BC restricts use of e-cigarettes

Over the last 20 years, BC has seen a significant reduction in smoking rates, especially among the young.  However, with the introduction of electronic cigarettes, that progress could be drastically reversed.  There are also concerns that non-smoking youth and adults may become smokers after first using e-cigarettes. 

It has been suggested in some media that e-cigarettes are a “healthier” alternative to tobacco because they don’t necessarily produce the particulate and other harmful combustion products, including nicotine, that cigarettes do – but without adequate evidence, that claim falls into question.

E-cigarettes have been found to include inconsistent amounts of nicotine, propylene glycol, nitrosamine, and other toxic chemicals. Perhaps more importantly, e-cigarettes may again make the ‘hand to mouth’ action of smoking appear socially acceptable.

Recently the BC government banned the selling of electronic cigarettes to minors, legislation aimed at limiting their exposure and potential harmful effects to young people, much the same way tobacco is prohibited in BC. Rules will come into effect by the end of 2015. 

The ban includes forbidding the use of e-cigarettes in all public buildings, including public and private school grounds, bars, coffee shops, workplaces, and recreation centres. Businesses that do sell e-cigarettes must hide their product displays to prevent advertising to youth.

Doctors of BC agrees with government’s decision to restrict the use of e-cigarettes to minors in the absence of sound evidence of any harms and benefits. 

Dr Lloyd Oppel, Chair of the Council on Health Promotion, said there is real concern over e-cigarettes’ flavoured vapours and their ability to entice youth. “As doctors, our concern is the health and wellbeing of our young patients,” said Dr Oppel. “The act of ‘vaping’ is so similar to regular smoking we are worried it may become a gateway to tobacco use.” 

BC doctors recommend that people who want to quit smoking look to recognized programs such as QuitNow, and not the purchase of e-cigarettes.