The attempts by different countries to ban flavors used in vapes or e-cigarettes will force vapers to return to smoking, create a huge black market for e-cigarettes under the radar of authorities and incentivize the combustible cigarette industry, according to international consumer groups and health advocates.
Charles Gardner said a new study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research which polled 2,159 US respondents in the age group 18 to 34 found that, if ‘flavors’ are banned, so only tobacco flavor remains, 33 percent of them would switch back to smoking.
The study looked at the reactions to sales restrictions on flavored vape products or all vape products in the US. It concluded that, “if ‘flavors’ are banned, [users] may not experience benefit.” Vapes or e-cigarettes are among the tobacco harm reduction products, along with heated tobacco products and snus that provide smokers better alternatives to combustible cigarettes. Many smokers have switched to e-cigarettes partly because of the flavors.
Results of the US study which were published on July 31, 2021 show that e-cigarette users indicate low support for e-cigarette sales restrictions, both for flavored products and complete restrictions.
Manila Bulletin – 2021-09-22.
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