No evidence that e-cigs stop people smoking

AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, said today that the growth in e-cigarette products internationally has provided sections of the tobacco industry with the opportunity to rebrand themselves as part of the effort to reduce smoking – but there is no evidence that e-cigarettes work as a deterrent.

“Smoking causes cancer and smoking kills people,” Dr Gannon said.

“Australia is a world leader in tobacco control, and we must remain a world leader in stopping people smoking or taking up smoking for the first time.

“We must not allow e-cigarettes to become a socially acceptable alternative to smoking.

“E-cigarettes essentially mimic or normalise the act of smoking. They can result in some smokers delaying their decision to quit, and they can send signals to children and young people that it is okay to smoke.

“E-cigarettes and related products should only be available to people over 18 years of age. The marketing and advertising of e-cigarettes should be subject to the same restrictions as cigarettes.

“And, importantly, e-cigarettes must not be allowed to be marketed with claims that they are a smoking cessation aid. There is no such evidence.

“Australian authorities have not been able to establish any proof that e-cigarettes are safe or effective in stopping people smoking.”

Dr Gannon said that longitudinal research being conducted by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) into the safety or otherwise of e-cigarettes is ongoing and will take time.

“Until we see comprehensive clinical reports from the NHMRC on the safety or non-safety of e-cigarettes, we must continue to treat these products with extreme caution,” Dr Gannon said.