- The authorities warn that vapers contain carcinogens and toxic substances that represent a serious risk to the health of consumers.
- Its consumption can cause from acute respiratory diseases to death.
- Cofepris announced three forceful actions to prevent health damage from the use of vapers.
The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) published a maximum health alert because of the health risks posed by products commonly called vapers in all its modalities. In collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior (Segob), it designs a strategy to prevent risks and strengthen health control actions for these products, which are priorities for the federal health authority.
In its first communication of risk to the population available at this link, Cofepris warned about the possible serious damage to health caused by these products. He mentions that this publication is a regulatory tool used by agencies around the world to disclose technical information on health risks.
Why was the maximum health alert for the use of vapers published?
While in the new risk statement It is reported how the inhalation of an excipient frequently found in vaping devices called vitamin E acetate constitutes a high risk to health. The reason is because it is a toxic substance that can cause acute respiratory diseases and even death.
Electronic cigarettes (E-cigs or vaporizers) and heated tobacco products are promoted as an alternative to smoking cessation. But the health authority mentions that its effectiveness has not been proven. On the other hand, its derivatives of carcinogenic compounds, toxic substances and aerosol emissions represent a serious risk for those who consume them.
❌No vape or tobacco heater has health authorization, or recognition by @SSalud_mx as reduced or alternative risk products.
⚠️ They contain carcinogenic compounds, toxic substances and emissions in the form of aerosols of danger to health pic.twitter.com/ErodIfd5MV
— COFEPRIS (@COFEPRIS) May 19, 2022
A study carried out and shared with the health authority by the United States Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) showed the presence of vitamin E acetate in more than 35 samples of deceased people who consumed vaping like electronic cigarettes.
Strategies to avoid consumption
Therefore, Cofepris determined that this risk is a high priority to protect people’s health. For this reason, he announced three forceful actions to prevent health damage from this cause:
1. Strengthens health surveillance actions, increasing the number of verification visits and seizures of devices, especially those located at points with a higher risk of being consumed by minors.
2. Strengthens the training of health authorities of the federal entities on health control of this type of product and the establishments that sell them.
3. Implements the National Health Complaint Day focused on promoting surveillance and citizen reports on vending machines and points of sale that sell these products.
No tobacco vaporizer or heater has health authorization or recognition by the Ministry of Health as reduced or alternative risk products. As reported in the first National Week against Sanitary Risks, federal and state authorities are already carrying out operations to secure this type of product thanks to citizen surveillance and complaints.
For their part, specialized personnel in psychology and medicine are made available through the Addiction Primary Care Centers, AC Youth Integration Centers, Community Mental Health Centers, Comprehensive Mental Health Centers and the Line of Life in the number 800 911 2000 to receive more information.