The annual E-cig Summit took place in London on Friday, 17th November 2017 allowing public health experts to discuss e-cigarettes.
It has been a very interesting year for vaping, with the implementation of the TPD, public health concerns, increasing amounts of evidence to support e-cigarettes as a cessation aid and the ongoing flurry of fake news which still looms largely over the industry.
These topics, among many others were discussed at the E-cig Summit by medical professionals from recognised health organisations such as Cancer Research UK, Action on Smoking and Health and universities across Europe. EU Reporter interviewed a number of the speakers to provide an expert insight into the contentious talking points that surround the vaping industry.
Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos
Dr. Farsalinos is a research fellow at the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Athens, Greece, and at the Department of Pharmacy. He has conducted extensive research into e-cigarettes and has a very positive outlook on vaping. He discusses the effects of nicotine, misinformation on e-cigarettes, long term effects of vaping and also explains that ‘there is a consensus that e-cigarettes are less harmful than cigarettes’.
Professor Robert West
Professor Robert west from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL discusses the quality of e-cigarette research and explains that many of the studies are over-interpreted. He then voices his opinion on the source of funding that goes in to vaping research, particularly with regards to Big Tobacco and Phillip Morris International. West also gives a concise answer to whether e-cigarettes are safe.
Professor Linda Bauld
Linda Bauld, Professor of Health Policy at the University of Stirling, UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies and Cancer Research UK shares her opinions on the TPD and the regulatory framework that is in place. Bauld also compares how this legislation has affected other countries alongside the UK while discussing New Zealand’s inclusion of e-cigarettes in its tobacco harm reduction plan.
Deborah Arnott
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Chief Executive Deborah Arnott expresses her views on e-cigarettes compared with novel tobacco products such as Heat not Burn products. Arnott explains that ASH support e-cigarettes over these novel tobacco products and tells us what is being done to reduce smoking rates.
It’s great to hear these expert opinions from professionals who know the industry inside out. A number of topics were discussed and it’s important to share these views to give both smokers and vapers reliable information, allowing for an in informed decision on whether to vape.
