26 September 2023

E-cigarettes found to have drawbacks

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Australia’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has joined the Chief Health Officers of the States and Territories to issue as statement relating to the sale and use of e-cigarettes.

Professor Brendan Murphy said there was growing evidence implicating the use of e-cigarettes – commonly known as vaping – in a range of dangers to individual and population health.

“E-cigarettes are relatively new products and the long-term safety and health effects associated with their use and exposure to second-hand vapour are unknown,” Professor Murphy said.

“International evidence is emerging of a possible link between the use of e-cigarettes and severe lung disease…at least six fatalities being linked with vaping in the United States.”

He said individuals who used e-cigarettes presenting with unexplained respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, chest pain), sometimes associated with gastrointestinal and other non-specific symptoms, should seek medical advice.

“Clinicians should ask patients whether they are using e-cigarettes in the same context as encouraging smoking cessation and should reiterate that no e-cigarette product has been evaluated for safety,” Professor Murphy said.

He said the liquids used in e-cigarettes could contain nicotine, but also flavourings and harmful substances such as heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing chemicals.

Anyone using e-cigarette products or who were exposed to e-cigarette emissions and/or e-liquids was potentially at risk, he said.

The CMO and State and Territory Health Officers’ full statement can be accessed in full at this PS News link.

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