Ban on e-hookahs for teens

Demand for banning Electronic Shishas for teens

02/13/2015

E-shishas are enjoying growing popularity among teenagers. Although no nicotine is usually evaporated in the electronic shishas, ​​according to the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, health risks can indeed arise from the products. The experts therefore call for a ban on distribution to young people.

After the success of electronic cigarettes, it was only a matter of time until similar products in the hookah area came on the market. According to the DKFZ, the electronic hookahs do not differ in principle from the function of the e-cigarettes. Experts rate the growing popularity of e-shisha among teenagers as extremely important in the face of potential health risks. For example, the German Cancer Aid, the Non-Smoking, Doctors and Parents Alliance, fully endorses the distribution of e-cigarettes and e-shisha to children and adolescents to disallow.

How does the e-hookah work??
According to the DKFZ, both e-cigarettes and e-shishas consist of a mouthpiece, a cartridge with liquid, an evaporator and a battery. They are available as disposable, but more common are the models with replaceable cartridges. When you pull on the mouthpiece and simultaneously pressing the switch by the glowing heating coil inside a liquid, the so-called „Liquid“, evaporated. „The resulting mist (aerosol) is inhaled by the consumer“, the DKFZ continues to report.

Where are e-shishas and e-cigarettes sold??
E-cigarettes have already been available on the Internet in Germany since 2006, and these are now also available in supermarkets or specialist shops, according to the state, according to the DKFZ. Mostly e-cigarette according to the announcement of the „dpa“ There distributed, where also tobacco products are on offer. The newer e-shishas, ​​however, would often be offered in drugstores, supermarkets or kiosks. „According to reports from 2014, some retailers sell e-shishas to children“, so the DKFZ. The colorful printed products and the available flavors such as melon or apple would appeal to younger consumers, reports the „dpa“.

Many teens have experience with e-shishas and e-cigarettes
According to the news agency, there are no comprehensive data on the number of adolescent e-shisha users, but a smaller survey by the DKFZ revealed that around ten percent of 16 to 19-year-olds already have experience with the use of e-shishas or have e-cigarettes. Next reported the „dpa“ from a yet unpublished, more comprehensive study of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), in the context of which 12- to 17-year-olds were interviewed and come to similar data as studies from the United States. According to this, almost 40 percent of young people have experience with e-shisha and cigarettes.

Health risks due to ingredients in liquids
Even if nicotine-free liquids are evaporated in e-shishas, ​​the experts believe that the ingredients can pose a health risk. For example, propylene glycol and / or glycerol form the basic substance of the liquids, reports the DKFZ. Propylene glycol is used in e-cigarettes and e-shishas as a misting agent. Otherwise, propylene glycol is also used, for example, as a humectant in cosmetic products and industrially as antifreeze and de-icing agents for automobiles, aircraft and boats. During use of the e-shisha, the intake of a larger amount of propylene glycol occurs via the respiratory tract. „Respiratory irritation, cough, impairment of lung function, eye irritation, irritation of the mouth, bleeding gums, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and insomnia are described as short-term effects of inhalation“, explains the DKFZ. The long-term consequences of frequently repeated inhalation are so far difficult to estimate.

Long-term health risks difficult to predict
According to the German Cancer Research Center, a further health risk can be attributed to the added flavorings in the liquids. Because some of the flavorings used such as menthol or vanillin are contact allergens, so that the development of allergies in use can not be excluded. Overall, due to the lack of data, it is currently not possible to make a confident statement about a possible health hazard caused by the long-term use of e-cigarettes or e-shishas, ​​explains the DKFZ. „In particular, there is no experience for the long-term inhalation of such high doses of a chemical mixture“, reports the Cancer Research Center.

Criticism of e-shishas and e-cigarettes
Another criticism of the e-cigarette and shisha is that it could act as a kind of starter drug for smoking. The action alliance No Smoking reports, current study results would point this out, „that e-cigarettes can serve as an entry-level drug by imitating smoking.“ It is to be feared that this also applies to e-shishas. Therefore, according to the experts, it is extremely critical that e-cigarettes and shishas that do not contain nicotine do not fall under the Tobacco Products Directive and thus remain unregulated and freely available. It is therefore urgently necessary to regulate nicotine-free e-cigarettes and e-shishas. „They should be subject to the same age restriction, advertising ban, characteristic flavoring ban and warnings as for tobacco products“, calls for the action alliance.

Stricter legal regulations planned
The information of the news agency „dpa“ According to the Federal Government, the government has been working for a long time on an amendment to the Youth Protection Act, in which a ban on the supply of e-inhalation products to young people and children is to be implemented. Whether this will also apply to nicotine-free liquids, however, remains open so far. The eCigarettenverband, which represents about 70 percent of dealers, calls the „dpa“ According to a comprehensive prohibition of distribution to young people. „The e-cigarette is in no way suitable for teenagers“, quotes the „dpa“the bandage. If individual retailers sell products to teenagers, they will no longer be supplied.

Entry-level product or help with smoking cessation?
In the message of „dpa“ It also addresses the benefits of e-cigarettes and e-shishas over traditional tobacco cigarettes, although these are not related to the use of products by adolescents, but are aimed at former smokers. For example, e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to tobacco cigarettes, especially for people who can not completely stop smoking. For teenagers, the e-shishas and cigarettes are, however, in the opinion of the critics rather as an entry-level product. Thus, the experts are extremely concerned about the current development. „In particular, e-shishas have recently become alarmingly popular with children and adolescents“, so the conclusion of the action alliance no smoking. (Fp)

Picture: Dirk Kruse