SMOKING
E-cigarette safety still vaporous due to lack of data — doctor
The jury is still out on whether vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes and there is uncertainty on how it should be regulated
The jury is still out on whether vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes and there is uncertainty on how it should be regulated, it emerged at a recent panel discussion with leading experts. The Vapour Product Association says vaping is up to 95% safer than cigarettes and is more effective in helping people to quit smoking than nicotine replacement therapy. Africa Harm Reduction Alliance co-founder Dr Melon Human says while one in every two smokers is likely to die as a result of tobacco use, an evidence review carried out by Public Health England in 2015 found that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco. The product association says 38% of users claim e-cigarettes helped them to stop smoking entirely, while 25% of users report that they reduced the amount they smoked. Because e-cigarettes contain no tar and can be used with liquids containing less nicotine than cigarettes, logic dictates that they must be safer. However, pulmonologist Dr Richard van Zyl-Smit says it is "not tha...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.