Electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are often presented as a substitute for tobacco or as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes.

The electronic cigarette or e-cigarette contains a reservoir filled with a liquid of variable composition and an aerosol that projects a vapor designed to imitate tobacco smoke. When the mechanism is switched on, the liquid in the tank heats up and the smoker inhales the resulting vapor. The substance inhaled depends on the composition of the liquid: it generally contains water, flavourings, nicotine in variable doses, propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol. Most liquids are sold in bottles, but users can also compose their own tank contents.

Current research shows that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) is not in favor of its use, as it still contains potentially harmful products: even if the user chooses a nicotine-free liquid, the flavors it contains, although approved for the food industry, could be degraded by the high temperature of use. Work is underway to ban flavors that could pose health risks (AFNOR and CEN).

E-cigarettes could help smokers to quit, as they now smoker's gesture (unlike patches), but could also make non-smokers dependent.

Belgian law prohibits its use in public places where smoking is banned. On the one hand, for its possible environmental effects, and on the other, for the influence it could have on a non-smoking public.

In Belgium, the marketing of electronic cigarettes is highly regulated. Only cigarettes without nicotine, tobacco extracts or advertising mentioningsmoking cessation aid may be officially sold in stores. The Conseil Supérieur de la Santé is currently working on adapting these regulations, insofar as smokers who are unable to stop smoking, and who are threatened by the most serious illnesses, could benefit from switching to e-cigarettes, which are undeniably less toxic, even if the effects of long-term use are, by definition, unknown.