WHO Urges Global Ban on E-Cigarette Flavors to Protect Youth

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments worldwide to categorize e-cigarettes alongside tobacco products and enforce bans on all e-cigarette flavors. This poses a challenge to tobacco companies investing in smoking alternatives that were once seen as less harmful nicotine delivery systems.

Push to Regulate Vapes Like Cigarettes

Citing emerging evidence on health risks and aggressive marketing tactics, the WHO warned that e-cigarettes may be fueling nicotine addiction among youth and non-smokers. Studies indicate over 13-15 year olds now use vapes at higher rates than adults globally.

"Kids are being trapped into nicotine addiction at an early age by irresponsible e-cigarette promotion," said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Countries must take decisive action with strict regulations to protect young people."

Specifically, the WHO has called for the application of proven tobacco control policies to vaping devices, including:

• Banning all e-cigarette flavoring agents
• High taxes to reduce affordability
• Comprehensive smoke-free laws

While some public health experts see vapes as useful smoking cessation tools for established smokers, the WHO said evidence is lacking that e-cigarettes reliably help smokers quit. Further, growing research links vaping to heart, lung and brain health risks across all age groups.

Major Tobacco Companies Pivot Toward Vaping

The push for tighter vape regulations poses hurdles for major tobacco corporations like Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco. With declining cigarette sales, these firms hoped to develop new revenue streams via electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Tobacco companies argue vapes are far less hazardous than combustible cigarettes. By providing cigarette smokers palatable alternatives, vaping could save lives otherwise lost to tobacco-related disease. However, this harm reduction narrative is increasingly scrutinized given risks to youth.

While the WHO provides guidance to member states, its policy recommendations are non-binding. However, many countries voluntarily adopt tobacco control templates set by the global health body. If trends continue, a coordinated global clampdown on the vaping industry appears imminent.