The New Zealand government has announced that vaping has the potential to improve public health and is encouraging smokers to use them as an alternative to traditional cigarettes.
In a statement released last week, the health minister said he “believes that e-cigarettes have the potential to contribute to the Smokefree 2025 target and can break down existing barriers to inequality.” Smokefree 2025 is the government’s plan to reduce tobacco use to zero by 2025.
“The potential of e-cigarettes to improve health depends on their ability to help New Zealand's 550,000 daily smokers quit without harming children and non-smokers,” the Health Minister said at a press conference.
The statement goes on to explain that there is currently no evidence that e-cigarettes are attractive to non-smokers, and that is correct. Sadly, the public will only believe it if a government accepts the evidence and tells the truth about vaping.
“In the opinion of experts, e-cigarettes are less harmful than cigarettes, but they are not completely harmless,” the report said. “Some of the chemicals in cigarettes are also present in cigarette smoke, but at much lower concentrations, far less harmful. Smokers who switch to e-cigarettes have the potential to reduce the negative health effects on themselves and those around them.”
It is encouraging to see New Zealand boldly moving forward while its neighbour Australia remains rooted in the ground and banning smokers from accessing truly safe nicotine products . In Oz the message is clear: quit or die.
Key points:
The best thing smokers can do for their health is to quit.
Electronic cigarettes are for smokers only.
The minister believes that e-cigarettes can bypass inequitable policies and contribute to the Smokefree 2025 campaign.
Evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes but not completely harmless.
Cochrane Review finds e-cigarettes can help smokers quit.
Smokers who have tried other methods of quitting without success should be encouraged to try e-cigarettes. Quit smoking services should support smokers in using e-cigarettes.
When used properly, e-cigarettes pose no risk of nicotine poisoning, but should still be kept out of reach of children.
The Ministry of Health is currently setting safety standards for e-cigarettes in New Zealand. For now, vapers should buy their products from reputable sources.
Source: Jim McDonald - Vaping360
Translated by: The Vape Club
