e-cigarettes: cessation device or alternative vice?
DESCRIPTION
Ever since they emerged on the market 10 years ago, the popularity of e-cigarettes has been rising. This presentation discusses some of the key arguments surrounding e-cigarettes, along with recommendations for life insurers in the process of writing, or revising, their underwriting policy. Read the full blog here: http://www.genre.com/knowledge/blog/e-cigarettes-cessation-device-or-alternative-vice.htmlTRANSCRIPT
E-CIGARETTES: CESSATION DEVICE
ALTERNATIVE VICE? or
SMOKING
KILLS
The World Health Organization cites the tobacco epidemic as one of the largest public health threats the world has ever faced.
Tobacco caused 100 million deaths in the 20th century.
Based on current trends, it is predicted to kill
1 billion in the 21st. Source: World Health Organization
Of the almost
6 million tobacco-related deaths
recorded every year,
600,000 are non-smokers
exposed to second hand smoke.
Source: World Health Organization
Daunting, given the death toll from smoking is
preventable.
HELPING SMOKERS QUIT IS NOW A BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY
E-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) have been hailed as an aid to smoking cessation and now account for
1% of the $100 billion global tobacco market.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Though highly addictive, in terms of health risk, the effect of nicotine is considered on a par with caffeine.
Cigarettes release nicotine in
smoke containing
7,000
harmful chemicals,
around
70
of which are known to cause cancer.
Source: www.cdc.gov
E-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a vapour containing only one chemical:
propylene-glycol (PG).
PG is approved for use in food, tobacco, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products such as asthma inhalers. Hospital air is even disinfected using it. 9174592768
Source: atsdr.cdc.gov
Though generally considered safe by agencies including the FDA and ATSDR,
the long-term risks of inhaling PG are unknown.
Source: atsdr.cdc.gov
DO E-CIGARETTES REALLY HELP SMOKERS STOP?
Scientific evidence that e-cigarettes aid in quitting smoking is
inconclusive.
Many smokers
become dual-users of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Source: Electronic Cigarettes and Conventional Cigarette Use Among US Adolescents, Dutra L et al. JAMA Pediatr. Published online March 06, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5488
They are, however, gaining popularity: in the UK, e-cigarette use has tripled in the last two years
from 700,000 to 2.1 million users.
Source: ash.org.uk
They are, however, gaining popularity: in the UK, e-cigarette use has tripled in the last two years
from 700,000 to 2.1 million users.
Source: ash.org.uk
THE E-CIGARETTE LANDSCAPE IS RAPIDLY EVOLVING
E-cigarettes have become big business. And “big tobacco” has moved in.
Much effort has been made to de-normalise smoking in recent years, yet the design and advertising of many
mainstream e-cigarettes mimic their tobacco counterparts.
Many fear their popularity could re-glamorise smoking, enticing
new smokers or discouraging others from stopping.
“Celebrity vapers” and new “fun flavoured” e-cigarettes are drawing particular criticism from health campaigners due to their influence on teenagers.
Could big-tobacco investment be undermining the notion that e-cigarettes are devices that
aid in quitting smoking?
GOVERNMENTS ARE MOVING TO
OF E-CIGARETTES REGULATE SALES
Complete bans exist in Norway, Brazil and Singapore.
Denmark, Canada and Australia restrict imports, sales and marketing.
The UK has banned sales to under-18s and will soon regulate them.
In the U.S., they will be regulated as a tobacco product.
In New Zealand, they are regulated as medicine, available only from pharmacies.
The EU will soon follow suit for e-cigarettes containing nicotine above a certain amount.
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It is hoped placing them behind the counter will create a barrier to entry for the
94% of smokers who start before age 25.
Source: ec.europa.eu
RECOMMENDATIONS for
LIFE/HEALTH INSURERS
More and larger long-term trials are urgently needed
Quit!
to establish whether ENDS can be effective smoking cessation aids.
All users of nicotine must be treated as smokers
regardless of the source.
For now, the issue for insurers is clear cut:
Cotinine screening (the routine test for applicants who claim to be non-smokers) cannot identify the method of nicotine intake.
Because…
Cotinine screening (the routine test for applicants who claim to be non-smokers) cannot identify the method of nicotine intake.
Because…
Individuals who remain addicted to nicotine are in danger of using tobacco.
Cotinine screening (the routine test for applicants who claim to be non-smokers) cannot identify the method of nicotine intake.
Because…
Individuals who remain addicted to nicotine are in danger of using tobacco.
It is highly plausible they will revert to smoking or become dual users.
We can help.
As e-cigarettes gain in popularity, the need to underwrite the
exposure properly is critical.
LOOKING TO DISCUSS
© 2014 General Re Corporation | This presentation is intended to provide background information to our clients and professional staff. It is time sensitive and may need to be revised and updated periodically.
ON E-CIGARETTES?
OR REVIEW
YOUR COMPANY’S POLICY
Ross Campbell
+44 20 7426 1803 [email protected] p
Contact us:
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or your Gen Re representative