Policy divergence in the absence of science: the case of e-cigarettesOver the past five years electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have emergedas a new consumer product that is being used by an  increasing number ofsmokers  who are seeking less risky alternatives to conventionalcigarettes. E-cigarettes tend to be designed to look and feel similar toconventional cigarettes, but they do not contain tobacco. They arebattery-powered devices that produce an aerosol usually containingnicotine. Currently, there is significant inconsistency in the way thate-cigarettes are being regulated around the world: e-cigarettes are bannedin some countries or are being regulated either as medicinal, tobacco orgeneral consumer products in others. There is also a diversity of viewsregarding the potential role that e-cigarettes could play in helping toreduce the public health impacts of tobacco use. In fact, the science tosupport this emerging category of products is only being developed now, andthere are many gaps. E-cigarettes therefore represent a timely case studyon what can happen as regards policy development for regulation of a newproduct category in the absence of a solid scientific foundation. Someviews will also be presented on how the development of such a scientificfoundation might be accelerated to, in turn, help inform development of anappropriate regulatory framework for e-cigarettes.

Policy divergence in the absence of science: The case of e-cigarettes

246th National Meeting (2013)

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