World Health Organization calls for ALL flavored vapes to be banned worldwide and ‘treated like cigarettes’

What are e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are devices that allow you to inhale nicotine in a vapor instead of smoking.

They do not burn tobacco or produce tar or carbon monoxide – two of the most harmful parts of tobacco smoke.

The devices work by heating liquid containing nicotine and flavorings.

They can come as vape pens – which are shaped like a pen or a small tube with a tank to store e-liquid and batteries – or pod systems which are rechargeable and often take the form of USB sticks.

Are they dangerous?

E-cigarettes are not without risk, but they are believed to cause less harm than smoking.

However, its liquid and vapor contain harmful chemicals that are also found in traditional cigarettes, but in much lower concentrations.

These chemicals have been linked to pneumonia, chronic cough, shortness of breath and lung disease.

Some chronic users have developed obstructions in their lungs, causing them to experience 'asthma-like' symptoms.

There have also been cases of e-cigarettes exploding or catching fire.

Can children buy them?

Like cigarettes, an American must be at least 21 years old to purchase a vape.

Many physical retail locations fail to check customer identification, allowing children to access the devices.

About 75 percent of Juuls owned by minors in the U.S. came from brick-and-mortar locations, a 2018 study found report found it.

Many also receive the device from a friend or family member.

What has the FDA done to curb vaping use?

The FDA has banned the sale of flavored nicotine products in the US unless a company has received permission to do so.

All products sold by e-cigarette giant Juul had to be withdrawn from the market last June under these new rules

It found that there was insufficient evidence to confirm that its products did not harm public health.

In November, the FDA warned online retailers to stop marketing e-cigarettes to children to 'swiftly protect the public health'

Other popular brands, such as Puff Bar, have also received warnings from regulators over the sale of flavored devices.