WHO (World Health Organization) only becomes involved in a matter when the issue looks important enough. E cigs have clearly become an important issue, and considering their growing popularity in the developed world, it is no wonder WHO has waded in with their take on these products. Their stance does not look positive for e cigs.
WHO and the E Cig Question
Right now there is not enough evidence to support or deny claims that e cigs produce dangerous second-hand toxins which bystanders could inhale to their detriment. For that reason, the organization has decided to suggest the use of e cigs indoors be banned worldwide for the time being.
If governments and organizations agree with their findings, there will be no more vaping in malls, restaurants, clubs, or shops. They also recommend that only consumers over the age of 18 be permitted to purchase e cigs. In certain states this age would be 21, in accordance with existing smoking laws.
Evidence for and against Indoor Vaping
Some findings suggest that e cigs produce toxins which include nicotine. When released in an enclosed space, passers by will unavoidably inhale nicotine vapor and might be affected by it.
Science has proven without a doubt that nicotine is a poison; a potential killer, at least if you are a smoker or a second-hand smoker. But e cigs are often used without nicotine. Can they still be dangerous when this substance is absent?
The fear is that yes, they can. Certain other chemicals are emitted from electronic cigarettes. Their levels of concentration are, as yet, unknown.
Scientists are unsure at this time how much one must inhale and for how long to experience side effects. This is the trouble: lack of understanding.
WHO is not saying e cigs are inherently bad as much as they are warning the public that what they do not know might hurt them, but their ruling is a blow to the reputation of e cigs.
Taken the Wrong Way
Many advocates of e cigs take all of these findings and recommendations the wrong way. WHO has not suggested that e cigs be banned outright. They have qualified their recommendations so that they apply to indoor settings.
While their caution is understandable, many ex-smokers are peeved that they are shunned from indoor vaping just as if they were smoking once more. Government officials in favor of banning e cigs entirely simply have more of a leg to stand on, or they think they do.
Many vapers argue that second hand vapor does not cause health problems, but their claims lack substance. Until more data has been collected, they could be proven wrong or right.
In the meantime, the question is whether or not e cigs will harm second hand vapers. That and the age limit are the two issues members of WHO have passed judgment on.
Until they know more, there can be no definitive comments on the matter. They have not said e cigs are bad but require further study before they can take a stand for or against e cigs.