As the United Kingdom joins France and Belgium in banning disposable e-cigarettes, Moroccan health and environmental experts are calling on their government to follow suit, citing growing concerns over public health and environmental degradation.
The use of single-use e-cigarettes has seen a sharp rise among Moroccan youth, particularly in schools, according to experts who describe the situation as both alarming and largely unchecked. Calls are intensifying for legislative intervention to address what is being described as a “silent crisis.”
Ayoub Krir, president of the Oxygene pour l’Environnement et la Santé association and an expert in climate and sustainable development, warned that disposable e-cigarettes pose a serious threat to the environment. He cited air pollution and improper disposal of lithium batteries, which he said could spark fires when mixed with general waste.
“These devices are a ticking time bomb,” Krir said. “Their environmental impact affects all living organisms and adds pressure to already strained ecosystems.”
Krir urged Moroccan lawmakers to enact bold legislation banning the sale and distribution of these products, arguing that failing to do so would compromise the country’s broader anti-smoking initiatives.
On the health front, Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a researcher in health policy and systems, warned that e-cigarettes are endangering the lives of Moroccan children and adolescents. He noted that the marketing tactics of tobacco companies are increasingly targeting young people.
“Facing declining prospects due to growing global awareness, tobacco companies are pushing e-cigarettes as a so-called safer alternative,” Hamdi said. “But there is no solid scientific evidence supporting that claim.”
Hamdi emphasized the urgent need for Morocco to adopt preventive measures already in place in other countries to protect its younger population.
Both experts stressed that immediate action is needed, not only to protect public health but also to preserve environmental integrity. They called on Moroccan lawmakers to move swiftly in implementing a nationwide ban on disposable e-cigarettes.
If enacted, such a measure would align Morocco with a growing number of countries prioritizing health and environmental safety over industry interests.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.