Switched has a new home! Huffpost Tech.

Click here to visit the new home of Switched!

Hot on HuffPost Tech:

See More Stories
AOL Tech

World Health Organization Bans E-Cigarettes

by Engadget Staff on September 22, 2008 at 06:28 PM


As it turns out, the World Health Organization (WHO) isn't condoning e-cigarette products -- shockingly -- as some manufacturers might like you to believe. In fact, the lawsuit flag is being waved at a few companies who brazenly plastered the organization's name and logo across promotional material, suggesting an endorsement of the product.

The WHO's Douglas Bettcher asserts that the product is untested as a nicotine replacement therapy, stating, "If the marketers of the electronic cigarette want to help smokers quit, then they need to conduct clinical studies and toxicity analyses."

So while e-cigs might not carry the same carcinogenic risks as traditional smoking, there are still plenty of health issues surrounding liquid nicotine and all the nasty additives it's served in... and the WHO isn't about to let you forget it. [From: WHO via PhysOrg]

Tags: cigarette, cigarettes, Douglas Bettcher, DouglasBettcher, e-cigarette, electronic cigarette, ElectronicCigarette, health, smoking, WHO, world health organization, WorldHealthOrganization

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular