Drug Commissioner calls for ban on e-cigarettes

Drug Commissioner of the Federal Government for banning e-cigarettes

13.03.2012

Mechthild Dyckmans (FDP), a drug commissioner of the black and yellow federal government, has called for a Germany-wide ban on the sale of electric cigarettes (so-called e-cigarettes). She supported the position of NRW Health Minister Steffens.

In the debate on the trade and sale of e-cigarettes, Dyckmans supported the position of North Rhine-Westphalia's Health Minister Barbara Steffens (Greens). The state minister had banned trade in e-cigarettes in NRW. In an interview with „The West“ the drug commissioner, she said „fear that teenagers will be attracted by the e-cigarette if offered as a supposedly healthy alternative.“ The electrical appliances with nicotine could lead to smoking. The federal government has already liquid with nicotine as „drug“ classified. The classification should „a signal effect“ be for all states.

Dyckmans stops the electrical appliances „health point of view for questionable“. This is especially the case when using the products „Nicotine inhaled“ would. In addition, the liquids contained numerous unknown ingredients that could cause a health risk. „Therefore, we warn against consuming the e-cigarette.“, so the FDP politician.

The topic is also critically eyed in the EU. The commissioned European Commission sees the e-cigarette as „very critical“ on. „The first reactions from Brussels are that one classifies the e-cigarette as dangerous as the conventional cigarette.“

The argument that e-cigarette could help with the smoking cessation, Dyckmans did not apply. As a means of weaning the e-cigarette is in her opinion not suitable. The organism is damaged as before with nicotine, at least when the containers contain nicotine for evaporation. There are very good offers to stop smoking. Alternatively, the Drug Commissioner suggests contacting doctors, psychologists or community colleges offering special smoking cessation services. Many courses and seminars are also paid by the health insurance companies.

According to recent estimates, about two million people in Germany consume the e-cigarette more or less regularly. In many forums many users report that „steam“ to have stopped the consumption of conventional glowing stems. Others think they smoke less, at least now. At the beginning of March, around 30 homes and offices were searched by traders, according to the Association of E-Cigarette Vendors (VdeH). Previously, large quantities of liquids from China were confiscated at Frankfurt Airport. (Sb)

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Picture: Rainer Sturm