What is the World Health Organization's stance on e-cigarettes?

The WHO opposes using e-cigarettes for smoking cessation and calls for strict regulations, viewing them as a public health threat, especially to youth.

Are e-cigarettes considered a harm reduction strategy by some experts?

Yes, some doctors and scientists argue that e-cigarettes, while dangerous, may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes and could help smokers quit.

What are the concerns regarding youth and e-cigarette use?

A major concern is that young people, attracted by flavors, are becoming newly addicted to nicotine through e-cigarette use, potentially reversing decades of tobacco control progress.

Home / Health / Vape Debate: Harm Reduction or Public Health Threat?

Vape Debate: Harm Reduction or Public Health Threat?

21 Nov, 2025

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Summary

WHO opposes e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, citing risks.
Experts debate if vapes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Concerns rise over youth nicotine addiction from flavored vapes.

Vape Debate: Harm Reduction or Public Health Threat?

Delegates at the World Health Organization's Tobacco Control Treaty meeting in Geneva are locked in a fierce debate over the role of e-cigarettes and other newer nicotine products. The WHO firmly opposes using these products for smoking cessation, emphasizing the risks, particularly nicotine addiction among young non-smokers.

However, a segment of public health experts and doctors contend that while not harmless, e-cigarettes may be less dangerous than traditional cigarettes. They advocate for a harm reduction approach, suggesting these products could aid current smokers in quitting, a stance that has led to divisions and accusations of industry influence.