E-cigarette ban for young people is imminent

Experts criticize targeted marketing of the e-cigarette for adolescents

05/30/2014

E-cigarettes remain controversial. While some consider electronic glow sticks to be a viable and healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, others criticize the sometimes unknown ingredients of liquids that could be harmful to health. Young people in particular are advised against using e-cigarettes. However, some manufacturers specifically address this target group with their advertising.

Long-term effect of e-cigarettes on lung still unknown
E-cigarettes are available in modern designs and with liquids in almost any flavor. Most products are marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. It is not known at all whether the electronic glow sticks are actually harmless to health. Many ingredients have not been tested for potential hazards. However, experts assume that e-cigarettes are by no means harmless to health. „The e-cigarette vapor contains many substances that simply have no place in the lungs, "explained Fritz Sörgel, head of the Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research (IBMP) in Nuremberg, in an interview with the news magazine „Mirror online“. The additives in the liquids could trigger allergic asthma, the pharmacologist continued. In addition, there was a lack of studies on the long-term effect on the lungs. Thus, the main substance propylene glycol has not been investigated so far. „No one had previously come up with the absurd idea of ​​inhaling the substance, "says Sörgel.

Another problem is the intake of nicotine, which can not be dosed in e-cigarettes. Too high a concentration would quickly lead to poisoning. „It's only a matter of time before the first deaths, "explained Sörgel, adding that the electronic glow sticks are also ideal for consuming illegal drugs, as the vapor quickly delivers the substances to the brain.

The expert criticizes in particular, the marketing of cigarettes for young people. If stinking smoke is mixed with chewing gum flavor, that's a dangerous bait for young people. „Here, something addictive is administered in an appetizing form. "The pharmacologist sees parallels to alcopops, which are also particularly tailored to adolescents by the sweetness of drinks reduces the inhibition threshold before alcohol consumption.

Some manufacturers of e-cigarettes target young people
Kerstin Jüngling, head of the addiction prevention office in Berlin, explained in an interview with the news magazine how adolescents are particularly attracted to e-cigarettes. So the design and the many flavors like vanilla, chocolate or strawberry are attractive for young people. Particularly problematic: It also felt people addressed by e-cigarettes, which would normally smoke no cigarettes. „Smoking has now got a dirty image. But electronic cigarettes are not associated with smoking at all, "explained the expert „cool“ or „in“ perceived.

While some experts assume that the supposedly healthier e-cigarettes replace conventional cigarettes and thus save many people from lung cancer and other smoke damage, Jüngling does not agree. The search expert fears that young people first to e-cigarette and later to the e-cigarette „real“ Grab a cigarette. E-cigarettes seemed harmless and therefore facilitated the entry for the young people. „Many of these products contain nicotine and this has an extremely high addictive potential. This is how the smokers of tomorrow are raised, "said Jüngling. „The step to the right cigarette is therefore obvious. "A study from March, the in the journal „Jama Pediatrics "is based on the assessment of the search expert, and the authors of the study came to the conclusion that the consumption of e-cigarettes does not discourage young people from smoking conventional cigarettes, but even encourages them to do so.

E-cigarettes are often considered harmless by adolescents
E-cigarettes are often perceived as harmless in the population and especially by adolescents. Jüngling sees the reason for this in the law, which allows e-cigarette advertising on television, but prohibits spots for conventional cigarettes. In addition, the electronic smuggling should theoretically even be sold to young people. „Many adolescents think that if it were dangerous, it would be forbidden, "said the expert.

Also Sörgel criticizes the advertising of e-cigarettes, which is partially tailored specifically to adolescents. „It is urgent to intervene. "A trend from the US has now also reached Germany: e-cigarette marketer sponsor sports events or individual athletes.So the German e-cigarette marketer Red Kiwi as sponsor of a pilot of the motor sport rallycross - including generous banners at its race, as the news magazine reports, and celebrities such as the teen idol Robert Pattinson, who are also supposed to be e-cigarette fans, are being promoted.

Like e-cigarettes, e-shishas are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers. The electronic hookahs are also offered in all flavors. Earlier this year, the Federal Center for Health Education warned not to downplay e-shishas. There would be health risks similar to e-cigarettes. For example, the vapor would also contain carcinogenic substances such as formaldehyde, nickel or chromium, informed the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.