Public Health England: E-cigarettes Are Far Less Harmful Than Cigarettes
The NSW government implemented an e-cigarette ban:
According to the Daily Mail, the NSW government officially implemented an e-cigarette ban on July 1, prohibiting people from using e-cigarettes in any public place, and violators will be fined a huge amount. Residents of NSW who are using e-cigarettes to quit smoking will face a fine of A$550 if they use e-cigarettes in public. (Note about RMB 2,700 yuan)
Critics argue that the ban will "derail" smokers who are trying to quit through e-cigarettes. E-cigarette users will be forced to return to the smoking section, with a high risk of becoming addicted to cigarettes again.The introduction of the new state smoking ban has sparked controversy among several major international research organizations.
Cancer Council of NSW
Welcomed the ban on e-cigarettes, citing the potential harm of "passive smoking". Although, international studies suggest the situation is not true.
Public Health England
Studies show that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than cigarettes. The use of electronic water pipes as a complete replacement for cigarettes would have significant health benefits. Surveys have found that as many as 20,000 smokers have successfully quit smoking after using e-cigarettes.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt
Despite the findings of the study, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt remains strongly opposed to e-cigarette relaxation, stating strongly that it will not happen during his term.
Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association
President Colin Mendelsohn said several international experts agree that e-cigarettes do not pose a health risk to bystanders. The latest research shows that electronic water pipe vapor evaporates after a few seconds of exhalation, while the smoke particles of cigarettes can stay for 30 to 45 minutes.
New Nicotine Alliance Australia
The New Nicotine Alliance Australia is actively promoting the replacement of traditional cigarettes with electronic hookahs. Annette Huppatz, a member of the coalition, says she originally smoked e-cigarettes as a novelty, but over time, she gave up cigarettes. E-cigarettes offer a healthier alternative. Although she has more than 30 years of smoking, it does not mean that she is willing to return to the smoking area.
Dr June Raine, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said the evidence clearly shows that e-cigarettes are less harmful to health than smoking and that they can help people quit smoking permanently. Our latest guidance on licensing requirements is a strong first step towards obtaining safe and effective licensed e-cigarette products.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) must approve e-cigarettes before they can be used in health services, the NHS said. The NHS will not prescribe e-cigarettes unless Nice recommends their use, a spokesperson added.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of premature death. Although smoking rates in the UK are at an all-time low, there are still about 6.1 million smokers in England. There are also striking differences in smoking rates across the country, with Blackpool (23.4%) and Kingston-upon-Hull (22.2%) having much higher rates than more affluent areas such as Richmond upon Thames (8%).