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Physicians as Lobbyists of the E-Cigarette Companies

on a letter we send to the Health Ministry, we raised once again the ethical problematics in the relationship between physicians and commercial organizations.

Photo by Moshe Milner, GPO

A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that the electronic cigarette companies focus their marketing efforts on the younger population, attempting to present their products as promoting public health, although it is known that they contain nicotine and are therefore addictive. At the same time, we are witnessing physicians expressing support of the use of the e-cigarettes by JUUL in both the Israeli parliament and the media, and otherwise being involved in lobbying that support their innocuous and positive image.

Some believe that smoking e-cigarettes contributes to reducing health damages among those who are already smokers, but even in these cases regulation by national health authorities is advisable, based on thorough research, and that the e-cigarettes be offered to long-time smokers, rather than pushing “new smokers” into the habit. Note, moreover, that the claim regarding reduced damages is questionable, given that various studies have shown that many of the E-cigarettes users do not quit smoking ordinary cigarettes.

The question of physicians’ involvement in promoting cigarettes, even if in this particular case we may be talking about e-cigarettes that may contain less toxins, raises once again the ethical problematics in the relationship between physicians and commercial organizations.

When tobacco companies appoint physicians  to a scientific council on their behalf, and when some physicians are paid for promoting their products, it is no wonder that sometimes these physicians’ loyalty to the tobacco companies overcomes their commitment to their patients. physicians’ role is not limited to treating us when we are ill, but also includes protecting us against dangers to our health. The commercial use of the reliability and professionalism we attribute to them to promote tobacco products betrays the very core of this role.

Pronouncements by IMA and Health Ministry representatives against the direct or indirect involvement of physicians in promoting tobacco products are encouraging. But they must never prevent public discussion of the broader relationship between physicians and commercial interests.

Click here to read the letter

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