The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) issued a new risk assessment report on the health risks of e-cigarettes for users and bystanders. The report has only considered e-cigarettes with nicotine since there has been very little research about e-cigarettes without nicotine.

In summary:

  • Since e-cigarettes supply nicotine in the same quantities as cigarette smoking, the same harmful effects from nicotine can be expected.
  • The vapor from e-cigarettes contains so much nicotine that bystanders can ingest the same amount as with passive tobacco smoking. This may affect addiction to nicotine.
  • E-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking tobacco, especially with regards to cancer.
  • The health risks of long-term e-cigarette use in the population are unknown.

“In Norway, it is mainly smokers and former smokers who use e-cigarettes. The question is if this will still be the case if e-cigarettes become more accessible. It is important to avoid e-cigarettes becoming a trend among adolescents and young adults, or to introduce non-smokers to nicotine addiction and tobacco use,” says Dr. Camilla Stoltenberg, Director-General at the NIPH.

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