Positions of medical organizations on electronic cigarettes

Belgium will become the first European Union country to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, starting January 1, 2025. The ban, which was announced due to both health and environmental concerns, aims to curb the rise of nicotine addiction among teenagers and reduce the environmental impact of these products.

Türkiye has emerged as the leading nation globally for the highest number of cigarettes smoked, earning the disconcerting distinction with 17.1 cigarettes per capita per day, according to a European Union (EU) Statistics Office report.

Some 250,000 Turkish citizens have quit smoking with the help of "Alo 171," a phone line connecting smokers with the health officials who help them to quit, the country's Health Ministry has said.

In a statement issued for May 31, World No Tobacco Day, the ministry highlighted that more than 700,000 people called the line in 2021 and more than one third succeeded in quitting.

New Zealand will ban the sale of cigarettes to future generations, the government said today, quoted by DPA.

People aged 14 and under, when the law goes into effect in 2027, will never be able to buy cigarettes legally, Deputy Health Minister Ayesha Verrall said.

The number of deaths from pulmonary diseases in the United States caused by smoking electronic cigarettes has reached 37. The number of patients has exceeded 1,800 people, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cited by the BGNES.

The first e-cigarette death case in Los Angeles has been registered. This is the fourth such fatal incident in the United States in two weeks, BNT reported.

The local health department issued warnings to all consumers of such products. It is not yet known what is the exact cause of the lung injury of the deceased.

Electronic cigarettes are "undoubtedly harmful" and should be regulated, the WHO said. It also warned against the use of vaping products by smokers trying to quit their deadly habit.