As covered previously, there has in recent weeks been the most alarmist headlines originating in USA about lung illness linked to vaping. These messages can be misleading and steer the general public and policymakers into wrong conclusions. The evidence now points to these reported illnesses being the result of the use of illegal and contaminated substances and has nothing to do with the use of legal e-cigarettes and vaping products available in Europe.
The Independent Eupoean Vape Alliance (IEVA) has collated some expert opinion on this matter:
Dr. Ute Mons, Head of Cancer Orevention at the German Cancer Research Center, published in the Badische Zeitung (Germany):
“It is almost probable that products were used that were somehow adulterated and contaminated. On top of this the situation in Germany is totally different, because of the relatively strict consumer protection rules have been in force here and in the EU as a whole since 2016”.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Popp, Lung Specialist, published in the Kurier (Austria):
“The man in the USA certainly did not use ordinary liquids: He and many patients who were admitted to hospital with complaints were diagnosed with an increased THC level. In plain text, they vaporized marijuana.”
Constantine Vardavas, European Respiratory Society’s Scientific Relations Director with the EU in Politico EU (Europe):
“In European countries like the U.K. and France, which have voluntary reporting systems, there’s not much evidence of this problem, and experts cite tighter ecigarette regulations in Europe than the U.S. We have not seen anything like what we’ve seen in the U.S. recently in Europe, to my knowledge as a scientist, and I’m pretty aware of the field.”
Prof. Bertrand Dautzenberg, Professeur de médecine, dans le service de pneumologie du groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpétrière in Europe 1 (France):
“Imagine if someone drove their cars with 10 grams alcohol in their blood system and the car was blamed. E-cigarettes are innocent. They were used as a tool to introduce a toxic, unsuitable substance in the lungs”
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA Commissioner at CNBC (USA):
“Most of the acute lung injuries are related probably to illegal products and it is unlikely to be related to legaly vaping products like Juul, Blue, …”
Prof. Dr. Martin Storck, Specialist for Vascular Surgery, in the Tagesspiegel (Germany):
“It would be surprising and implausible, if more than ten years after introduction of the E-cigarette suddenly, very frequently, acute diseases would occur systematically.”
Prof. Dr. Bernd Mayer, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, (Austria) published in his Youtube channel:
“Vaping has been around for over ten years, e-cigarettes are widespread worldwide, there are 40-50 million vapers… no single report ever over such illnesses. And now suddenly within fewer weeks in the USA it goes off at once… It’s amazing that you really believe that and don’t question it.”
Prof. Dr. John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at Public Health England in Politico EU (Europe)
“There is no situation where it would be better for your health to continue smoking rather than switching completely to vaping.”