Electronic cigarettes should be regulated, physicians say today.
The Royal College of Physicians, of London, UK, backs the use of the e-cigarettes, saying they can help smokers cut the risks they face.
But it warns they could tempt non-smokers to begin using nicotine.
The college’s statement on the subject today says: “On the basis of available evidence, the RCP believes that e-cigarettes could lead to significant falls in the prevalence of smoking in the UK, prevent many deaths and episodes of serious illness, and help to reduce the social inequalities in health that tobacco smoking currently exacerbates.”
It says regulation would ensure that products deliver nicotine safely and effectively and help prevent companies from targeting products at the young or at non-smokers.
The college says electronic cigarettes and other new nicotine products would be regulated as medicines.
It says it “recognises that electronic cigarettes and other novel nicotine devices can provide an effective, affordable and readily available retail alternative to conventional cigarettes.
“These innovations could make harm reduction a reality for smokers.”
* Delegates at the BMA annual conference yesterday called for the introduction of a total ban on cigarette sales.
Under the proposals it would become illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone born after the year 2000 – the current generation of new teenagers.
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