Nicotine Science & Policy | 9 June 2014
The letter from 53 scientists sent to WHO Director-General Margaret Chan on May 26 urging the organisation to refrain from classifying e-cigarettes as regular tobacco products received wide media coverage across the world. The letter was sent ahead of the upcoming WHO sponsored Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) meeting in Moscow this October.
The Reuters story ran strongly throughout the US and across Europe and the Agence France-Presse story circulated widely in the Asia Pacific region from Australia though to Thailand,(Bangkok Post) Malaysia (New Straits Times), Korea, Japan (Japan Times) and India (Times of India) as well as parts of Europe. Between them the two pieces drove broad online coverage in Poland, France, Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Italy, UK, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Ukraine, Russia and also reached Africa and Brazil.
Once both these stories had run, other agencies adapted them to their local context. The Press Association agency, based in the UK ran a story that was picked up by most UK newspapers. Papers such as theFinancial Times and the Daily Mail however produced their own stories with the latter especially attracting a strong reaction on social media as well.
The BBC ran a feature piece including Gerry Stimson and the BBC´s interview ran on the outlet’s home page, was the lead health story throughout day, and also the lead news story on BBC´s Newshour programme. The piece was subsequently broadcast throughout the day on all BBC TV news programming. Other signatories such as John Britton (Today) and Robert West (Newsday) and Lynne Dawkins (7pm News) were also featured on the BBC. David Sweanor gave two interviews to both Canada’s national radio and TV Broadcaster CBC. Jacque Le Houzec participated in a World No Tobacco Day panel on Radio France International’s health show Priorité Santé. Gerry Stimson also gave interviews for ABC radio Australia and Channel News Asia, and local BBC radio stations across the UK.
The story generated debate in countries likeAustralia and New Zealand that have been very hardline in their stance to the regulation of e-cigarettes. Many specialist publications like Medical News Today, Medical Daily and the British Medical Journal also ran pieces.
The story was picked up on social media. The Daily Mail story attracted some 750 shares and around 300 comments. The BBC piece attracted over 800 comments and the Guardian online piece attracted over 400 comments.
The story continues to run after May 29 and has generated number of opinion pieces in publication such asThe Scotsman, The Guardian and the New Zealand Herald.
An opinion co-authored by 5 of the signatories ran in a key Greek newspaper Tovima and will also run in Le Monde during the week of June 9.
The letter has also been circulated in the investment analyst community and is the subject of an Early Day Motion in the UK Parliament.
Soon after the media coverage started WHO removed its former statement on e-cigarettes from its website and replaced it with a new holding statement.
A selection of the coverage:
Reuters
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/28/health-ecigarettes-idUSL6N0OD3ZE20140528
Top scientists warn WHO not to stub out e-cigarettes
Reuters French
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http://www.leparisien.fr/laparisienne/sante/le-passage-des-fumeurs-a-l-e-cigarette-pourrait-sauver-des-millions-de-vies-12-11-2013-3311459.php
L'e-cigarette pourrait sauver des "millions de vies"-experts. jeudi 29 mai 2014 09h43
Reuters Spanish
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http://www.infosalus.com/salud-bienestar/noticia-destacados-investigadores-piden-oms-no-equipare-regulacion-cigarrillo-electronico-tabaco-20140529112152.html
Destacados investigadores piden a la OMS que no equipare la regulación del cigarrillo electrónico a la del tabaco
AFP
- http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/29/who-suppress-control-e-cigarettes-uk-health-tobacco
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277509.php
- http://www.medicaldaily.com/e-cigarettes-shouldnt-be-labeled-tobacco-products-scientists-tell-who-285190
African
- Numerous pan-African online media reported the Reuters’ release.
Australia
Coverage included leading TV ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and online media, with reference to the four Australian experts who signed the letter and quotes from them and from Simon Chapman.
- http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/new-approach-needed-to-use-of-ecigarettes/story-e6frg8y6-1226940617118#
- https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/23959161/e-cigarettes-in-the-spotlight-as-group-of-scientists-urge-world-health-organisation-to-resist-crackdown/
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-29/who-urged-not-to-crackdown-on-e-cigarettes/5486928
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-04/e-cigarette-debate-in-wa/5497842
- http://www.vcpost.com/articles/23858/20140603/continuous-electronic-cigarette-crackdown-stirs-up-debates.htm
- http://www.theguardian.com/money/work-blog/2014/jun/03/e-cigarette-office-smoking-vaping-tobacco
Brazil
Many online and print media reported either the Reuters’ or BBC stories modified and adapted to address the local debate. Reports include leading web-news portal IG, weekly magazine Exame and media group O Globo.
- http://g1.globo.com/bemestar/noticia/2014/05/grupo-pede-que-oms-aprove-cigarro-eletronico-na-luta-contra-o-fumo.html
- http://saude.ig.com.br/minhasaude/2014-05-29/cientistas-fazem-apelo-a-oms-em-defesa-dos-cigarros-eletronicos.html
- http://exame.abril.com.br/mundo/noticias/especialistas-dizem-que-oms-deve-aprovar-cigarro-eletronico
Bulgaria
Almost all major online media and a couple of leading print dailies reported the news, with a total of over 20 features.
- http://news.ibox.bg/news/id_1613007340
- http://www.economynews.bg/учени-в-защита-на-електронните-цигари-news55026.html
- http://technews.bg/article-71151.html#.U4h_nKTfodU
- http://health.actualno.com/Ucheni-se-objaviha-v-zashtita-na-elektronnata-cigara-news_31211.html
- http://www.farmer.bg/37216-ucheni-osporvat-iskaneto-na-svetovnata-zdravna-organizaciya-da-regulira-elektronnite-cigari-kato-obiknovenite
- http://www.fbr.bg/read.php?n=1501
- http://novinar.bg/news/ucheni-zashtitavat-elektronnite-tcigari-pred-szo_NDY2Mjs2MA==.html
Cambodia
Letter playing into debate in Cambodia, where e-cigs are banned.
www.cambodiadaily.com/news/ban-turns-e-cigarettes-into-back-alley-trade-60499
Canada
Coverage included leading TVs, such as CBC, and online media, featuring statements by D. Sweanor and reference to studies and the ongoing debate on e-cigarettes.
- “CBC News” (TV): http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/e-cigarettes-could-save-hundreds-of-millions-of-lives-scientists-tell-who-1.2658080
- http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/mark-tyndall-reducing-harm-with-electronic-cigarettes
Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Uruguay
- Online media featured short versions of the Reuters’ story.
France
Numerous stories in TV, radios, online and print media, including the leading Le Figaro, Le Monde, L’Humanité and Le Parisien. Coverage includes quotes from Prof. Dautzenberg, B. Lepoutre (AIDUCE), F. Beck (OFDT- French Observatory on Drugs and Addiction), M. Kazatchkine (Graduate Institute Geneva).
- Leading TV “BFMTV” - http://m.bfmtv.com/article.html#art783835
- Leading daily “Le Parisien” - http://www.leparisien.fr/flash-actualite-sante/tabac-l-oms-devrait-encourager-la-cigarette-electronique-29-05-2014-3879445.php
- Leading daily “Le Figaro” - http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2014/05/29/97001-20140529FILWWW00021-l-oms-devrait-favoriser-l-e-cigarette.php
- International broadcast channel in French TV 5 issued a very comprehensive feature aired in a number of French speaking countries.
- http://telechargement.rfi.fr/rfi/francais/audio/magazines/r172/priorite_sante_1_20140530_0910.mp3
- http://telechargement.rfi.fr/rfi/francais/audio/magazines/r172/priorite_sante_2_20140530_0933.mp3
- http://www.franceculture.fr/emission-pixel-cigarette-electronique-le-business-avant-la-sante-2014-05-30#.U4iYfJO5eG8.twitter
- http://www.leconomistemaghrebin.com/2014/05/31/tabagisme-quel-moyen-pour-contrer-lepidemie/
- http://www.lematin.ma/express/2014/appel-d-experts-a-l-oms-_-encourager-l-e-cigarette-/203367.html
- http://www.rts.ch/info/monde/5888589-l-oms-devrait-encourager-la-cigarette-electronique-plutot-que-de-chercher-a-la-reprimer-selon-des-experts.html
- http://www.lalibre.be/actu/sciences-sante/tabac-l-e-cigarette-pourrait-sauver-des-millions-de-vies-5386d3ac3570902f990dff09#.U4b1iwvpo6w.twitter
- http://www.liberation.fr/societe/2014/05/29/la-journee-sans-tabac-sous-le-signe-de-la-cigarette-electronique_1029480
- http://fr.reuters.com/article/frEuroRpt/idFRL6N0OF1GF20140529
- http://www.leparisien.fr/flash-actualite-sante/tabac-l-oms-devrait-encourager-la-cigarette-electronique-29-05-2014-3879445.php
- http://www.ouest-france.fr/sante-la-cigarette-electronique-sauverait-des-millions-de-vies-2580716
- http://www.capital.fr/a-la-une/actualites/l-e-cigarette-pourrait-sauver-des-millions-de-vies-938087
- http://www.bfmtv.com/economie/experts-appellent-loms-a-encourager-cigarette-electronique-783835.html
- http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/201405/28/01-4770787-loms-devrait-encourager-la-cigarette-electronique-clament-des-experts.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=cyberpresse_B9_vivre_259_accueil_POS2
- http://www.ouest-france.fr/e-cigarette-entre-promotion-et-interdiction-cest-la-grande-confusion-2576902
- http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2014/04/30/l-e-cigarette-contribue-a-faire-baisser-la-consommation-de-tabac_4409824_3224.html?xtmc=l_e_cigarette_contribue_a_faire_baisser&xtcr=3
- http://www.pourquoidocteur.fr/Cigarette-electronique---53-experts-plaident-en-sa-faveur-aupres-de-l-OMS-6654.html
- http://www.journaldujura.ch/nouvelles-en-ligne/divers/la-cigarette-electronique-au-centre-de-la-journee-sans-tabac
- http://www.sudinfo.be/1017930/article/2014-05-29/la-journee-sans-tabac-sous-le-signe-de-la-cigarette-electronique
Greece
- http://news.in.gr/science-technology/article/?aid=1231323140
- http://www.axortagos.gr/min-afanisete-to-ilektroniko-tsigaro.html
- http://www.tovima.gr/science/medicine-biology/article/?aid=600753
- http://www.newspile.gr/65466/2014-05/prwtoboulia-epistimonwn-min-katadikazete-to-ilektroniko-tsigaro.html
- http://www.aplanon.gr/2014/05/blog-post_1330.html
- http://paidis.com/2014/05/30/
- http://www.iatrikostypos.com/epistimi/koryfaioi-epistimones-proeidopioun-ton-poy-na-min-apagoreusei-ta-e-tsigara
- http://www.palo.gr/koinonia-nea/min-afanisete-to-ilektroniko-tsigaro-ekklisi-ston-pagkosmio-organismo-ygeias-kanoyn-perissoteroi-apo-50-epistimones-me-epistol/10879471/
- http://www.thousandnews.gr/ygeia-epistimi/78112-protovoulia-epistimonon-min-katadikazete-to-ilektroniko-tsigaro.html
- http://www.inewsgr.com/13/ilektroniko-tsigaro-meros-tis-lysis-gia-meiosi-ton-synepeion-sto-kapnisma-leei-o-syndesmos-tous.htm
- http://www.exedra.gr/ilektroniko-tsigaro-meros-tis-lisis-gia-miosi-ton-sinepion-sto-kapnisma-lei-o-sindesmos-tous/
- http://el.wingwit.com/?p=1625
India
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Top-secret-document-shows-WHO-plans-to-classify-e-cigarettes-the-same-as-regular-cigarettes/articleshow/35724921.cms
Top secret document shows WHO plans to classify e-cigarettes the same as regular cigarettes
Italy
- http://salute24.ilsole24ore.com/articles/16724-tabacco-killer-1-morto-ogni-6-secondi-gli-esperti-scrivono-all-oms-le-e-cig-aiutano-a-ridurre-i-danni
- http://salute24.ilsole24ore.com/articles/16724-tabacco
- ANSA “ Esperti a Oms: “non criminalizzare sigarette elettroniche”. Lettera di 53 ricercatori, tra firmatari anche Veronesi*
- http://www.agi.it/research-e-sviluppo/notizie/201405291319-eco-rt10117-fumo_studio_sigaretta_elettronica_non_e_alternativa_sana
- Dottnet: http://www.dottnet.it/14420/gli-esperti-alloms-non-criminalizzare-le-sigarette-elettroniche
- Radio 24: http://www.radio24.ilsole24ore.com/programma/cuoridenari/2014-05-29/senza-tabacco-meglio-102656.php?idpuntata=gSLANXeEh&date=2014-05-29
- Benessereblog: http://www.benessereblog.it/post/108187/sigarette-elettroniche-gli-esperti-nessuna-prova-dellefficacia
Japan
- http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/05/30/world/science-health-world/top-scientists-warn-stub-e-cigarettes/
- Experts urge WHO not to restrict e-cigarettes, 'century's biggest health innovation'
New Zealand
Poland
- http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,1342,title,Naukowcy-WHO-nie-moze-potepiac-e-papierosow,wid,16639497,wiadomosc.html?ticaid=112cfa&_ticrsn=3
- http://wyborcza.pl/1,91446,16054044,Naukowcy__WHO_nie_moze_potepiac_e_papierosow.html
- http://fakty.interia.pl/nauka/news-naukowcy-who-nie-moze-potepiac-e-papierosow,nId,1433659?utm_source=Fakty&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS
Portugal
Stories in online and print media, including the leading dailies Diario das Noticias and Publico
- “Diario das Noticias” - http://www.dn.pt/inicio/ciencia/interior.aspx?content_id=3940665&seccao=Sa%FAde&referrer=FooterOJ
- “Publico” - http://www.publico.pt/sociedade/noticia/especialistas-dizem-que-oms-devia-encorajar-uso-do-cigarro-electronico-1637896
Russia
- Numerous newswires, online media and websites of daily newspapers reported the news.
Singapore
- New Straits Times at: http://www.nst.com.my/latest/who-urged-not-to-snuff-out-e-cig-1.607346#sthash.HVazQzg8.dpuf
Spain
Numerous stories in online and print media, including the leading business daily El Economista.
- “El Economista” - http://www.eleconomista.es/cultura/noticias/5819730/05/14/Destacados-cientificos-defienden-los-cigarrillos-electronicos-ante-la-OMS.html#.Kku8WmmTCch3FcZ
- Daily – “La Vanguardia” - http://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20140529/54408470871/expertos-britanicos-piden-a-la-oms-apoyar-el-uso-de-cigarrillos-electronicos.html
Switzerland
Almost all leading media reported on the matter. The most interesting features were issued by leading TV RTS and daily Le Matin. Coverage included quotes from co-signatories J.F. Etter and M. Kazatchkine.
- Leading TV “RTS” - http://www.rts.ch/info/sciences-tech/5888902-l-oms-devrait-encourager-l-e-cigarette-estiment-des-experts.html
- Leading daily “Le Matin” – http://www.lematin.ch/monde/experts-saluent-vertus-vapoteuse/story/17026057
Sweden
Ukraine
Widespread coverage online featuring the Reuters’ release.
- http://www.unian.net/society/924429-mediki-prizyivayut-voz-ne-ogranichivat-prodaju-elektronnyih-sigaret.html
- http://medicine.rbc.ua/rus/uchenye-mediki-prizyvayut-voz-ne-ogranichivat-prodazhu-elektronnyh-02062014123600
- http://society.lb.ua/health/2014/06/02/268567_britanskie_mediki_prosyat_voz.html
- http://glavcom.ua/news/210180.html
- http://ru.tsn.ua/zdorovya/uchenye-prizvali-voz-ne-ogranichivat-prodazhu-elektronnyh-sigaret-369090.html
- http://comments.ua/life/471214-vedushchie-uchenie-mira-prizivayut-voz.html
- http://life.obozrevatel.com/consumer/10539-veduschie-uchenyie-mediki-prizyivayut-voz-ne-ogranichivat-prodazhu-elektronnyih-sigaret.htm
United Kingdom
- BBC Online http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27547420?print=true and http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27616052
- BMJ - Tobacco control policies should embrace harm reduction products, nicotine experts say BMJ 2014; 348 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g3604 (Published 29 May 2014)
- The Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10861898/E-cigarettes-could-save-millions-of-lives-experts-tell-WHO.html
- Kings Fund - http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/blog/2014/05/e-cigarettes-burning-issue-future-public-health-policy
- Daily Mail - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2642674/Dont-class-e-cigarettes-tobacco-scientists-warn.html
- Financial Times - http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b67f972c-e608-11e3-a7f500144feabdc0.html?siteedition=uk#axzz336uRH6DA
- http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/73e3f97e-e655-11e3-bbf5-00144feabdc0.html
- Metro - http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/29/e-cigarettes-could-save-millions-of-lives-4744506/
- The Week - http://www.theweek.co.uk/health-science/58735/are-e-cigarettes-bad-for-you-who-considers-regulation
Various
- http://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/wholl-stop-reign-e-cigarettes
- http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/05/29/scientists-stand-up-to-u-n-agency-in-defense-of-e-cigarrettes/
- http://motherboard.vice.com/read/50-top-scientists-say-e-cigarettes-could-save-hundreds-of-millions-of-lives
- http://www.csdecisions.com/2014/06/04/medical-specialists-appeal-tobacco-harm-reduction/
- http://www.newsnet5.com/news/dont-classify-e-cigs-as-tobacco-scientists-urge
- http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/19397/
- http://www.policymic.com/articles/90197/the-world-s-top-scientists-just-issued-a-surprising-statement-on-e-cigarettes