- Smoking in its conventional form is the main preventable risk factor for chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Since 2022, the commercialization of electronic cigarettes has been definitively prohibited in Mexico.
- In Latin America alone, tobacco use causes more than a million deaths per year.
Tobacco use is as old as humanity itself. Over the years it has been transformed to derive in the electronic cigarettes which today are involved in a strong controversy. Although for a time it was claimed that their impact was less, more recent studies have shown that they are even more dangerous than conventional versions.
In the first instance, smoking in its conventional form is the main preventable risk factor for chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)four of the leading causes of death in the world.
Current regulation in Mexico
For its part, in 2021 the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) and the National Commission against Addictions (Conadic) published a alert about the risk posed by products commonly called vapers in all their modalities.
As part of the alert, health authorities point out three main types of health damage associated with these products.
- Respiratory damage from inflammation of lung tissue, causing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and cancer.
- Cardiovascular damage due to changes in blood circulation, which can cause arteriosclerosis and heart attacks.
- Mutagenic damage that increases the risk of cancer and reproductive disorders, such as erectile dysfunction.
Since then, other Latin American countries have followed the same path. The most recent case is that of Venezuela because authorized the prohibition of the use and commercialization of electronic cigarettes.
📣 More countries in the Americas adopt measures in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to protect the health of the population from novel tobacco products.
i ️ Read more 👇🏽https://t.co/JDrxZyAMls pic.twitter.com/t9cpDvZmZd
—PAHO/WHO (@opsoms) August 25, 2023
Currently, 21 countries of the Americas regulate in some way the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (SEAN)such as electronic cigarettes and vapers. While there are eight who have completely banned them.
- Argentina.
- Brazil.
- Mexico.
- Nicaragua.
- Panama.
- Suriname.
- Uruguay.
- Venezuela.
The electronic cigarettes they are the most common form of electronic nicotine delivery systems. When used, they heat a liquid to create aerosols that are inhaled by the user.
These “e-liquids” contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance found in tobacco, and other additives, aromas and chemical products, some of which are toxic to the health of the user as well as those exposed to them.
Countries with the highest consumption of electronic cigarettes
A study of Statista Consumer Insights identified the countries in the world where electronic cigarettes are most popular. In Indonesia, one in four people surveyed said they had used a vaporizer at least occasionally.
Meanwhile, in Europe vaporizers are quite popular in Switzerland (15 percent usage) and the UK (13 percent). For the latter, looking at a breakdown by age group, the survey found that a whopping 27 percent of 18- to 19-year-olds said they occasionally used e-cigarettes, by far the highest number of any age group surveyed. in the United Kingdom.
Also read:
The countries with the most consumers of electronic cigarettes and/or vapers in the world
Cofepris alert! The use of vapers causes these damages to health
Tobacco use in Mexico: Increase in smokers is worrying