E-cigarettes are not risk-free, and smokers overall are a health hazard

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Smokers are wilfully harming their health, but many innocent children, and pregnant women and their unborn babies, are being harmed as well. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 9:18am, 9 Jun 2018Updated: 12:31pm, 15 Oct 2020

I refer to the letter from Paul Riley of Philip Morris Asia (“If Hong Kong’s tobacco users can’t quit, they must get safer choices”, May 30). Our health department officials have said that the claims of novel smoking products, such as electronic cigarettes, as being healthier alternatives are yet to be conclusively proven, and they aim to put in greater efforts to address the “emerging challenges” posed by such devices.

Even if we accept that smoke from e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products has fewer carcinogens than tobacco smoke, the devices are not risk-free, as they could still contain other hazardous and toxic elements.

Are e-cigarettes all smoke and mirrors? One man’s quest for clean air

Diehard smokers are wilfully harming their health, but many innocent children, and pregnant women and their unborn babies, are being harmed as well – by second-hand smoke.

In our housing estate, there are no-smoking banners and stickers on pillars, but the notorious cigarette smokers are everywhere. The Housing Authority claims they have special squads patrolling to enforce the law in public housing estates, issuing penalty points when perpetrators are caught.

But not only has this not deterred smokers, the fact that ever more tenants are found lighting up around the no-smoking stickers suggests the authority is just paying lip service to its anti-tobacco drive. Other tenants are left desperate and angry, as the smokers puff away and litter. Where has civility gone?

Edmond Pang, Fanling