Swiss lab finds toxic substances in Philip Morris e-cigarette
Experts warn inhaling even very small amounts of isocyanates can cause serious health damage.
Keystone
Highly toxic substances escape from the filters of IQOS electronic cigarettes produced by Swiss-based tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International.
These dangerous toxins, called isocyanates, are released when polymer filters are heated to 100 degrees Celsius.
However, the laboratory did not check whether the substance is inhaled by the smoker.
“If isocyanates are inhaled during the use of IQOS, it is very problematic,” warns Rainer Kaelin, a pulmonologist and former vice-president of the Swiss Lung League.
Even inhaling very small amounts, he notes, can cause serious health damage.
Voluntary ban
Isocyanates can cause illness even three months after exposure. In some extreme cases, the inhalation of isocyanates into the air has “led to fatal diseases after one year”, Kaelin said.
Philip Morris acknowledges the problem, but a spokesman for the tobacco company assured the newspaper that the toxin is not inhaled when using an IQOS cigarette.
Last year Swiss producers of electronic cigarettes, and several retail outlets that sell such products agreed to a voluntary ban on the sale to minors until a Swiss law change comes into effect.
More
More
Inside Philip Morris International: On a mission to convince the skeptics
This content was published on
What is it like to work inside the world’s largest tobacco company as it tries to radically reinvent itself?
This content was published on
The Ethos Foundation recommends that shareholders vote against all compensation-related items at the Annual General Meeting on March 7.
Top Swiss firms close to reaching gender quota in boards
This content was published on
The proportion of women on the boards of directors of the fifty largest listed companies in Switzerland currently stands at 28%.
Swiss committee wants to end government resignations during legislative term
This content was published on
Members of the Federal Council should no longer be able to leave office before the end of their term, according to a House of Representatives committee.
Swiss government seat: Ritter and Pfister nominated to succeed Amherd
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from St Gallen and Martin Pfister from Zug were officially nominated by the Centre Party on Friday to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd.
Top Swiss court rejects Russian request for administrative tax assistance
This content was published on
There is currently no reason to transmit banking information to the Russian Federation, the Swiss Federal Court has ruled.
After strike by radiologists, doctors demonstrate in Bern
This content was published on
Following a strike by radiology technicians in Fribourg, doctors, vets, dentists and chiropractors expressed their frustration on Friday outside parliament in the Swiss capital.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
‘Swiss marijuana champion’ finds new markets with ‘cannabis light’
This content was published on
There’s decaffeinated coffee, alcohol-free beer, and now marijuana that doesn’t make you high. A producer reveals the hidden side of the market.
This content was published on
Addiction Switzerland calls for more research to better understand the addictive risks of new products such as electronic cigarettes.
This content was published on
The American company JUUL, which specializes in the manufacture of electronic cigarettes, is preparing to set up in the Swiss city of Zug.
E-cigarette industry agrees to voluntary sales ban for minors
This content was published on
The code of conduct from the consortium of tobacco manufacturers and large retailers will come into force on October 1. Some 38 companies have previously signed up to an earlier charter from the Swiss Vape Trade Association, which also seeks to protect minors from such products. The signatories of the latest agreement have undertaken not…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.