There has been a new round of debates about introducing new regulations on electronic cigarettes at the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee in the US.
Since the invention of e-cigarettes, a lot of speculation has been made on the pros and cons of their use and how safe they are. What has been outstandingly clear is that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional traditional tobacco smoking. E-cigarettes basically use a battery powered device that heats e-juice (made of nicotine and other chemicals) to produce vapour that is then. We have covered a lot of ground on this in our blog. On Tuesday, the Health and Human Service Committee (HHSC) statured under US Legislature, discussed the merits and demerits of e-cigarettes and the need for regulation. Some of their arguments were as follows;
Those against regulation
One of those who were against restrictions was Paul Smith, who is Juicy Vapor’s production manager. Mr. Smith reminded the legislator that the e-cigarette ownership group was established to ensure that the products used in production were those that have been generally accepted as safe. As he puts it, the efforts put in to manufacturing safer e-cigarettes have succeeded in curbing harmful effects of tobacco smoking.
The American E-Liquid Manufacturing Standards Association is the industries top company, he says (Chris Caya/WBFO News). The association ensures self-regulation at the highest production standards. They argued that e-cigarette production is way above most others in terms of cleanliness, control, quality and safety, especially when compared to food-grade preparation standards.
Those supporting regulation
Researcher Dr. Mark Travers, of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, argued that e-cigarette vaping emits compounds that can cause cancer. As Travers puts it, e-cigarettes have emissions that include nicotine, formaldehyde, akrolein (which is a weed killer) among other health-risking chemicals. Although the emissions are produced at a significantly reduced proportion when compared to traditional cigarettes, the danger is still there. Dr. Travers stated that concerns about secondary exposure risks were viable and that a small amount of poison does not amount to safety.
Peter Savage, who is Erie County Legislator, was among those supporting regulation. He plans on introducing a legislation that requires regulation of e-cigarettes so that people are aware of the potential risks. In response to concerns from the e-cigarette industry, Peter clarified that this effort is not aimed at putting investors of the e-cigarettes out of business. It is rather about protecting public health and safety. As he puts it, those who are concerned and fear secondary exposure, based on testimonials and scientific studies, are protected.
Conclusion
Although the manufacturing of e-liquid and electronic cigarettes lead to a significant reduction in the effect of traditional tobacco smoking, regulation is still important. Concerned members of the community should be protected from the slightest bit of second-hand risks that are related to vaping. Besides, e-cigarettes are already regulated in a number of counties in major U.S cities including New York. The UK are yet to introduce formal regulations in regards to public vaping, but we are sure the debate will continue across the pond.
Regulations are good in regards to quality control that is without doubt. But committees, councils and governments should think twice about branding e cigarettes in the same bracket as tobacco. It has been proven time and again that vapour is much safer than tobacco smoke, so rather than being demonized, it should be praised.
That’s our thoughts. What are your thoughts? Do you think tighter regulation is a good thing? Feel free to drop us a comment.
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