Countries Where Vaping is Banned and Why
By Lindsay Fox Posted on February 7, 2013
It’s hard to see why anybody who was aware of e-cigarettes and has done some basic research on them could possibly conclude that they should be banned, but several countries have made that exact decision. You might be wondering why anybody would move to ban something with so much potential to reduce the harm associated with smoking, but the reasons don’t really stand up to much scrutiny. Here’s a list of the countries where e-cigarettes are banned, and a look at the most common reasons.
Which Countries Have Banned E-Cigarettes?
The e-cigarette is a relatively new phenomenon, so in most places legislation is yet to really catch up with the technology. However, countries like Canada, Mexico, Australia, Israel, Brazil, Hong Kong, Panama, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates have completely banned e-cigarettes. They are also regulated heavily as medical products in Denmark, where they are technically illegal but none have been licensed so far. Some places, such as Finland, have rules where they can technically be sold, but can’t contain nicotine. Many countries also have marketing bans on all nicotine products, which cover e-cigarettes.
Reason One – Needs More Study
One of the most common reasons for banning e-cigarettes is typified by the situation in Brazil. The FDA report issued in 2009 is thought to have been instrumental in the decision, and it basically boils down to the fact that e-cigarettes haven’t been studied in depth. This is true, and more research evidently needs to take place with regards to the risks of e-cigarettes. However, based on the existing research you can draw the conclusion that vaping is much safer than smoking. This argument can be summarized pretty simply: we can’t quite say with certainty that e-cigarettes aren’t safe, so you can keep using tobacco cigarettes, which we definitively know to be dangerous.
Reason Two – Nicotine Overdose
The Canadian e-cigarette ban was justified in a different way. It is argued that e-cigarettes increase the risk of nicotine overdose. It’s important to note that there is no such ban on smoking an inordinate amount of cigarettes in one sitting. Nor is there a ban on caffeine, which is also dangerous if consumed in inordinate amount. In fact, if you have enough of most things, overdose is actually quite likely. If e-cigarettes are used correctly (as much as you would use a cigarette), there is obviously no risk of overdose. Anything can be damaging if misused.
Reason Three – FDA Study
In Panama, they banned e-cigarettes in 2009 because of a now infamous FDA study. They looked at two brands of e-cigs, with 19 cigarettes in total, and found trace amounts of diethylene glycol in one of them, and also some tobacco-specific nitrosamines. The FDA, however, neglected to mention that the nitrosamines (which are carcinogenic) are pretty much inevitable in any produce derived from tobacco, including FDA-approved gums and patches. Diethylene glycol is also found in aspirin in ten times the quantity and hasn’t been found in subsequent tests.
Overall
The poor reasons cited for banning e-cigarettes are particularly harmful because they essentially leave tobacco as the only option. Realistically, the legislation could be seen as over-protective, but unless it’s accompanied by a ban on tobacco this argument crumbles into nothingness. Countries should support their citizens’ freedom to choose, and by no means ban something with the potential to save so many lives.
Compare to Smoking Bans Around the Globe in 2009
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5 People have left comments on this post
Jane Doe,
You are very misinformed about vaping. First, nicotine is an optional ingredient in most ejuices. It is not a “flavor”. People can vape with or without nicotine in their ejuices. The vapor produced is meant to be inhaled just like cigarette smoke, approximating the same experience as smoking without all the harmful ingredients produced by cigarette smoke. The FDA has approved both PG (Propelene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerin) as safe. Nicotine fluid mixed in the correct proportions is relatively safe. By relatively, I mean by itself, it is FAR less addictive and harmful than when mixed with all the other addictive ingredients put into cigarettes. It is still toxic in large amounts. However, since nicotine is the prime ingredient in nicotine gum and patches meant to help people quit smoking, it is safe to assume that vaping it is at least as safe as those less effective methods.
It is overwhelmingly obvious that the tobacco lobby is the main group trying to stop vaping. They blocked it in Canada because that country generates HUGE tax revenue through tobacco sales. That is the ONLY reason people are deliberately being misinformed about the obvious health benefits of vaping versus smoking. Please stop continuing the confusion and better educate yourself about this subject.
I smoked for 30 years. Switched to ecig in 1 day. End of story.
Jane Doe you have no idea about electronic cigarettes and should hold back your very invalid opinions you will do more to harm our community of vapers than help we have chosen a method that is safer than cigarettes that does not affect those around us and that we need to help us in our quest of evolving from such a deadly weed. we are educating ourselves and helping to educate those that have been misinformed. we are a very responsible group of people who are sick of the bad press by under educated people. knowledge and research my friend is free and should be used proactively.
I used to smoke between 30 and 40 cigarettes a day I tried every method known to man to kick the weed with no results until I tried this method and within a flash it worked not only did it work but I have never touched a real cigarette since which has helped hundreds of people around me they are no longer passive smokers not even of the vapour that leave my lips. that correct not even the vapour its the same as any vapour that you find do some research and maybe you will understand and agree. evryone should be happy that we have evolved and been self promoting of a system that helps the smoker unlike the governments who are running scared of the vast profits they are loosing in revenue which will have to be found by some other tax method. ooops I get it the none smoker will not like that. as far as banning is concerned that will not have much of an affect they banned it in canada and they have an underground network that is now out of control VAPING FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You my friend obviously have no idea in hell what you are talking about. All of the flavors regardless contain nicotine unless indicated otherwise. As for the part about not suppose to inhale you again are incorrect. Lastly they are nothing like a hookah. A hookah is essentially a water bong the smoke is pulled through water to essentially be cleaned which is does make it somewhat cleaner but still harmful. There is no water in the vapor which is produced propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are what produce the vapor nicotine is included with the mix along with natural and artificial flavoring. One last thought just so you know tobacco industries are becoming big players in the E-Cig industry Lorillard owns Blu E-Cig company and Philip Morris is currently working on producing their own brand of E-Cig as well as many other Big Tobacco companies are buying up their own E-Cig companies as quickly as they possibly can.
It is clear who is behind the ban on electronic cigarettes to anyone but a moron. The tobacco industry is a major lobby and contributor to Washingtons Congressmen and Senators re-election
funds. Duh!
I am an avid non-smoker and know of the horrors of smoking and the burden of medical costs they bring to the nation, but this is not the case with the use of electronic cigarettes. Nicotine is only one flavor of choice for electronic cigarettes as there are many herbs and fruits available for use.
The vapor provided by electronic cigarettes are not to be inhaled, but are to be tasted in the mouth much like a cigar, then exhaled. This method of use is clearly stated on the electronic cigarette instructions. Clorox instructions tell you not to drink it. It will kill you if you do. It is still on the market.
The following is my stand on the use of electronic cigarettes. If you are to ban them, then you must also ban hookahs. An electronic cigarette is nothing more than a mini portable hookah.
New York and the countries banning electronic cigarettes have thousands of hookah sellers and users.
You must also ban all the nebulizers for they are used to inhale vapor laden medicines that can cause the heart to race and dizziness to the user. Electronic cigarettes could actually be a life saving device to asthma victims if filled with medicine. They are certainly smaller and more accessible than the portable nebulizer that just hit the market.
Either all the devices above are kept on the market or they ALL go. If there are others that share this view point then write to your Congressman or Senator and to the Tobacco industry and voice your complaint. Fair is fair and this is certainly not fair business practice.