STOP RUBBISHING REDUCED RISK ALTERNATIVES
Activists were outraged after the WHO urged people to choose between lifesaving e-cigarettes and the environment in its latest anti-vaping campaign .
Words : Jordan Millar
The World Health Organization is under fire after claims it piggybacked on growing environmental concerns to stir yet another vaping moral panic .
In a series of controversial tweets , the international body urged people to steer clear of e-cigarettes , accusing the reduced risk alternative of wreaking havoc on the planet .
The health body launched its anti-vaping message against the backdrop of World No
Tobacco Day , including it alongside very real warnings about the dangers of cigarettes .
In a social media thread , the WHO said e-cigarettes were made with single-use plastics that contain ‘ hazardous chemicals ’ like nicotine and ‘ cannot be recycled ’.
It said : “ They do not biodegrade ; they just break down into microplastics that pollute our waterways .”
Shockingly , the WHO then called on people to decide between vaping and the planet , demanding that they ‘ choose the environment , choose health , never e-cigarettes ’.
Critics questioned whether the health body was really guided by green motives or was just looking for another way to attack vaping .
Richard Pruen of the Safer Nicotine Wiki said : “ What complete rubbish ; my e-cig is made from mostly metal and glass , it is engineered to last !
“ The parts that do need changing are recyclable coils and batteries or biodegradable cotton … sometimes I really
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