The World Health Organisation is calling for a ban on the use of e-cigarettes in public and in the workplace.
A report on the devices, used by many people across Hull and the East Riding to stop smoking, has been produced by the global health watchdog.
It is calling on governments around the world, including the British Government, to ban the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace and in public places, mirroring the restrictions on conventional cigarettes. It is also calling for a ban on the fruit flavours used in the products until it can be proven that they are not encouraging young people and non-smokers to experiment.
Its report states: "E-cigarettes and similar devices are frequently marketed by manufacturers as aids to quit smoking, or as healthier alternatives to tobacco, and require global regulation in the interest of public health.
"Legal steps should be taken to end use of e-cigarettes indoors in public and workplaces. Evidence suggests that exhaled e-cigarette aerosol increases the background air level of some toxicants, nicotine and particles."
It admits more research is needed into the use of e-cigarettes and their potential benefits in helping people quit smoking.
However, it is calling for governments to restrict the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes to ensure they are not targeted at young people or non-smokers.
Since 2005, the e-cigarette industry has grown from one manufacturer in China to a global business worth around US $3bn. E-cigarettes now come in 8,000 different flavours and there is mounting concern they could act as a gateway to nicotine addiction and, ultimately, smoking, particularly for young people.
Researchers also concluded there was insufficient evidence to conclude that e-cigarettes help users quit smoking and is calling for smokers to instead use nicotine replacement therapy such as patches and gum.
The WHO report disputes claims from manufacturers that e-cigarettes emit "water vapour" and, although conceding the products are less toxic than conventional cigarettes, it argues they could still be harmful to young people and the unborn babies of pregnant women.
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