Vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking. Accordingly we are asking the government of Mauritius to reassess and review the law pertaining to the e-cigarettes ban. We strongly agree that the importation of e-cigarettes and accessories should be controlled but not completely banned.

Proposed regulations:

1. Legal vaping age should be 21
2. Only MoH approved vape devices and e-liquids should be authorized for sale
3. Online purchasing of vape devices should be allowed for more control on pricing
4. Vape devices and e-liquids should be sold only by MoH approved distributors

Vaping is a less harmful alternative for adult smokers who are often unable to quit smoking on their own or with other methods. Vaping delivers nicotine and mimics the familiar hand-to-mouth action and sensations of smoking.

There is overwhelming scientific agreement that vaping is far less harmful than smoking. Vaping does not produce smoke. It is the 7,000 toxic chemicals in smoke released from burning tobacco which cause almost all the deaths and disease from smoking. In contrast, E-cigarettes heat a liquid into an aerosol, without tobacco, combustion and therefore smoke. 

According to the UK Royal College of Physicians:

“Although it is not possible to precisely quantify the long-term health risks associated with e-cigarettes, the available data suggest that they are unlikely to exceed 5% of those associated with smoked tobacco products, and may well be substantially lower than this figure.”

A comprehensive review by Public Health England concluded:

“While vaping may not be 100% safe, most of the chemicals causing smoking-related disease are absent and the chemicals which are present pose limited danger.”

A review by the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine concluded:

“There is substantial evidence that completely switching from regular use of combustible tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes results in reduced short-term adverse health outcomes in several organ systems.”

Vaping vs Traditional Tobacco:

• Lower health risks: Vaping is considered to be less harmful than smoking traditional tobacco products because it does not involve the combustion of tobacco.
• Fewer chemicals: Many of the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke, such as tar and carbon monoxide, are not present in e-cigarette vapor.
• No secondhand smoke: Vaping does not produce smoke, so there is no secondhand smoke to harm others around you.
• Less odor: Vaping produces less of an odor than smoking, which can be beneficial for those who are sensitive to the smell of tobacco smoke.
• Customizable nicotine levels: Many e-cigarettes allow users to adjust the amount of nicotine they consume, which can help smokers reduce their nicotine dependence over time.
• Variety of flavors: Vaping liquid come in a wide range of flavors, from traditional tobacco and menthol to fruits, desserts, and more.
• Cost-effective: Vaping may be a more cost-effective option than smoking, as e-cigarettes can be reused and refilled with e-liquid.
• Improves respiratory health: switching to vaping can help improve respiratory health in smokers.
• Aids in smoking cessation: Many smokers have found vaping to be a helpful tool in their journey to quit smoking traditional cigarettes.