PARIS: Health experts fearing a clampdown on e-cigarettes said Friday a UN report on the device had exaggerated their health risk and underplayed their role as a safe alternative to tobacco.
The August 26 report by the UN’s World Health Organisation (WHO) said governments should ban the sale of so-called electronic cigarettes to minors, warning they posed a “serious threat” to unborn babies and young people.
The WHO report, to be considered at a global meeting on tobacco control this year, also said e-cigs should be banned from indoor public spaces. But tobacco specialists, writing in the journal Addiction on Friday, said the report was flawed. They said it was rooted in a bigger WHO-commissioned probe, the Background Paper on E-cigarettes, which they accused of bias and error.
“We were surprised by the negativity of the commissioned review, and found it misleading and not an accurate reflection of available evidence,” said Ann McNeill, a professor at the National Addiction Centre at King’s College London.
E-cigarettes work by vaporizing a liquid called propylene glycol, to which nicotine and flavoring have been added. The vapour is inhaled, like traditional cigarettes, but produces vapor instead of smoke.
The gadgets have been a huge hit with young people, who form part of a snowballing market worth about $3 billion (2.3 billion euros) annually, with more than 400 brands of flavours.
Supporters of e-cigs say the devices are a safer alternative to traditional tobacco, whose bouquet of toxic chemicals and gases cause cancer, heart disease, strokes and other ailments.
Opponents say the devices have only been around for a few years, and the long-term health impact from inhaling their industrial vapour is unclear.
The WHO report acknowledged that e-cigarettes were “likely to be less toxic” than conventional cigarettes, but more research was needed.
It also fretted that the proliferation of sweet flavours would become a “gateway to nicotine addiction” for the young.
The debate is unfolding as many governments are under pressure to impose regulations on e-cigs. At the moment, the worldwide situation is a patchwork, ranging from complete freedom of sale to bans on sales to minors or of e-cigs that contain nicotine.
The WHO failed “to acknowledge that e-cigarettes are not just less harmful than tobacco cigarettes but (also) that the concentrations of toxins are mostly a tiny fraction of what is found in cigarette smoke,” the authors of Friday’s commentary said.
UN report on e-cigarettes is flawed, say critics
UN report on e-cigarettes is flawed, say critics
Where We Are Going Today: The Door – international cuisines in Riyadh
- The seafood spaghetti, made with a tomato base, mussels and shrimp, was the only dish left unfinished and did not land as well
Tucked between a corporate office building and a coffee shop, The Door reveals itself through an open window, framed flowers, candles and fairy lights. Peek inside and you are transported into a charming slice of the past.
The Door is a chic-casual restaurant offering a blend of international cuisines. It stands out in Riyadh’s dining scene for its flavors, reasonable prices and bistro-style atmosphere.
We started with the glazed shrimp, coated in smoked maple sauce. The dish was good but unremarkable, unlike the tahini cauliflower, which was fried perfectly and served with a rich tahini sauce, though the pieces were cut too small to eat easily with a fork.
For mains, the steak with mushroom sauce was cooked to perfection, and the lemon garlic spaghetti was creamy with a bright, zesty finish.
The seafood spaghetti, made with a tomato base, mussels and shrimp, was the only dish left unfinished and did not land as well. The shrimp tacos — recently added to the menu — were a pleasant surprise, blending Mexican and Asian influences with sweet chili sauce, shimeji mushrooms and baby corn.
We ended the meal with the dream parfait: strawberries in mango cream served with creme caramel. All I can say is, you simply cannot go wrong with strawberries and cream.
What truly elevates the experience is the ambience. Reminiscent of cozy European cafes, its low lighting, rustic decor and homey details create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.
The wood-paneled interior is dotted with retro iron fans, flower-glass lights, handwritten notes, vintage frames, Polaroids and cascading lace curtains — small discoveries that make the space feel intimate and lived-in.
The Door is great for a casual night out with friends or a partner, especially if you are budget-conscious.
The only drawback is the limited seating. While walk-ins are welcome, joining the waitlist ahead of time is wise, as waiting times can be long even on weekdays.
