The majority of public institutions seem to be following one knee-jerk reaction after another in regards to the outlook and attitude towards electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs. A simple Google news search for e-cigarettes or vaping will result in copious articles from across the US on local city ordinances banning vaping in public or a warning from another state agency. However, some of the world’s top scientists seem to have the ability that most regulatory minded individuals in the US do not; the ability to see that the benefits of vaping may largely outweigh the risks.
A recent article from BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27547420) highlights not only the intelligence and foresight from many international scientists in regards to vaping, but also the moxy that most leading researchers in the US do not have. In a letter written to the World Health Organization (WHO) by over 50 of the top scientists from 15 different countries, the point driven home is that the rush to regulate e-cigs is not only reactionary, but that it has the potential to cause further health risks, not reduce them (See the letter here http://nicotinepolicy.net/documents/letters/MargaretChan.pdf).
I believe the biggest point that the researchers make to WHO is that everyone should look at e-cigs as a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. Of the 10 points that they letter makes regarding how e-cigs should be used wisely, point number seven is an example of the wisdom these researchers illustrate. “It is inappropriate to apply legislation designed to protect bystanders or workers from tobacco smoke to vapour products.” The scientists know that second-hand vapor is not harmful to the public. That is because the scientific proof is that the half-life of the vapor from e-cigs is only 11 seconds. Compare that to 20 minutes from cigarette smoke! I just bet that is information you have not heard from any news agency regarding e-cigs.