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E-cigarettes: an evidence update <br /> <br />13 <br />Policy implications <br />o There is a need to publicise the current best estimate that using EC is around 95% <br />safer than smoking. <br /> <br />o Encouraging smokers who cannot or do not want to stop smoking to switch to EC <br />could be adopted as one of the key strategies to reduce smoking related disease <br />and death. <br /> <br />Summary of Chapter 11: Other health and safety concerns <br />There is a risk of fire from the electrical elements of EC and a risk of poisoning from <br />ingestion of e-liquids. These risks appear to be comparable to similar electrical goods <br />and potentially poisonous household substances. <br /> <br />Policy implications <br />o The risks from fire or poisoning could be controlled through standard regulations <br />for similar types of products, such as childproof containers (contained within the <br />TPD but which are now emerging as an industry standard) and instructions about <br />the importance of using the correct charger. <br /> <br />o Current products should comply with current British Standard operating standards. <br /> <br />o Records of EC incidents could be systematically recorded by fire services. <br /> <br />Summary of Chapter 12: International perspectives <br />Although EC use may be lower in countries with more restrictions, these restrictions <br />have not prevented EC use. Overall, use is highest among current smokers, with low <br />numbers of non-smokers reporting ever use. Current use of EC in other countries is <br />associated with being a smoker or ex-smoker, similar to the findings in the UK. EC use <br />is frequently misreported with experimentation presented as regular use. Increases in <br />youth EC trial and use are associated with decreases in smoking prevalence in all <br />countries, with the exception of one study from Poland. <br /> <br />Policy implications <br />o Future research should continue to monitor and evaluate whether different EC <br />policies across countries are related to EC use and to smoking cessation and <br />smoking prevalence. <br /> <br />o Consistent and agreed measures of trial, occasional and regular EC use among <br />youth and adults are urgently needed to aid comparability.