Electronic cigarettes are devices designed to deliver nicotine or other substances to a user in the form of a vapor.  Typically, they are made up of a rechargeable, battery-operated heating element, a replaceable cartridge that may contain nicotine or other chemicals, and an atomizer that, when heated, converts the contents of the cartridge into a vapor which can be inhaled.   These products often are made to look like cigarettes, cigars, or pipes and are often marketed as a substitute for these items.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has NOT evaluated e-cigarettes for safety or effectiveness.  What studies the FDA has done have focused on limited lab studies of certain sample products on which they found significant quality control issues in the way these items are manufactured.  For example, the cartridges labeled as containing no nicotine contained nicotine and the amount of nicotine emitted in each puff was not consistent.  The FDA has issued warning letters to five distributors for violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act that monitors manufacturing processes.

Someday, the FDA may regulate electronic cigarettes to ensure they do what their manufacturers' claim including their potential role in smoking cessation, but for now, it is best to try FDA approved smoking aids such as nicotine gum, skin patches, sprays and inhalants.  Experts are concerned that marketing of e-cigarettes can increase nicotine addiction among young people encouraging them to try other tobacco products.

 

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Comments

I think its not safe... It is very danger for our healthy...

I am against any kind of nicotine consumption. I said it many times in different e-cigarette forums (those are actively promoting "e-cigs" for their monetary gain) Nicotine itself is not a safe chemical. Berger's disease (Thromboangiitis obliterans) is not prevalent in Western countries like in Eastern part of India; in our department, we almost get 1 patient / week suffering from Berger's disease, 1 patient / month requires amputation. Most of them are around 30 years of age. We get many patients who never smoked BUT consumes smokeless tobaccos (a kind of chewing tobacco is available here) almost 24 x 7. E-cig is just a variant, nothing more. I can not allow my patients under my treatment to smoke : be it e-cig or normal cig (People in forums say "analogues").

My goodness, where does it stop or will it ever. Whether or not one has the real thing a "n" (normal) cigarette or an "e" cigarette, what is the difference, really! Surprise, surprise the e cigarette contain nicotine..to tell you the truth I would have been surprise if it did not contain any. Sadly enough, many people die every year due to smoking, the cost is staggering and of course with the new "e"cigarette, the end is no where near. Of course dependency is not an issue with this or at least not discussed for what I can tell. Who do we blame though, the manufacturer, the inventor or the leader of this country that are allowing this non sense. And at the end of the day, it cost everyone lots, sadly enough...

To be honest, it's still the same thing, personally I do not like smoking and therefore do not support this.

I have tried one brand of e-cigarettes but it was a cheapie I was wondering how well the more expensive brands worked. Good info to know there are some flaws but my real question is are your inhaling anything else that could be dangerous

This is the first I've heard of e-cigarettes. I would not want to be the first customers for this. Unfortunately, we'll know in a decade if they're safe or not.

This is a very helpful post. It gives people basic understanding to lot of people who are still under confusion of quitting smoking or trying e cigarettes to control their addiction. I would say it doesn't make a difference as long as you are smoking. Thanks for sharing.

I see a lot of potential value in a "substitute" product like e-cigarettes, if they emitted reducing levels of nicotine that helped the user require less nicotine. I hope that can be achieved and a solution found the the FDA can get behind.

Personally I feel this might be a 1 good step towards quitting the actual cigarette. On the bad side, in a way it is promoting smoking to be more of a 'hip' thing, since it's turning into a electronic habit / gadget.

There are so many stop smoking quitting products out there now..personally i feel it comes down to will power if someone wants to quit they will without the help of these electronic cigarettes

I have been seeing more ads, blog posts, articles and information about these electronic cigarettes. I wonder if any research has been done on them to determine their safety and whether they are better or worse than other methods such as the nicotine patch. And since the FDA hasn't them yet, I hope that consumers are cautious in using them. Cheers!

I don't really see these as a tool to help someone prevent smoking. I can see the possible benefit to those that would be subjected to second hand smoke, but i know too many people this has not worked for.

This is the first I’ve heard of e-cigarettes. I would not want to be the first customers for this. Unfortunately, we’ll know in a decade if they’re safe or not

Yes, they do not contain all the chemicals of a real cig. I have cut way down using e-cigs.

I said it many times in different e-cigarette forums (those are actively promoting “e-cigs” for their monetary gain) Nicotine itself is not a safe chemical. Berger’s disease (Thromboangiitis obliterans) is not prevalent in Western countries like in Eastern part of India; in our department, we almost get 1 patient / week suffering from Berger’s disease, 1 patient / month requires amputation.

I'm incredibly surprised at how many comments here are against the use of e-cigarettes. E-Cigarettes contain ONLY nicotine. They get rid of the 4000 other carcinogenic chemicals included in every traditional cigarette. E-cigs also make it a lot easier for current smokers to stop smoking, it provides a similar experience to smoking. There is liquid vapour, which appears in the same manner as smoke and you also get a similar feeling at the back of your throat, just like a traditional cigarette. People aren't starting to smoke with an e-cigarette, this is not a gimmick to try and "get the kids" hooked. A good e-cigarette starter kit can cost you $100. Kids aren't going to buy a $100 e-cig starter kit when they can buy a pack of 20 for $4.50 Smokers are willing to pay this money as an alternative to smoking. The risks of just nicotine are nothing compared to a normal cigarette. No lung, bowel, throat, or any other kind of cancer. Ex smokers lungs clear up and breathing becomes much easier. The skin stops aging prematurely. If traditional cigarettes never existed then sure, this would be a bad product, but they do, and people start smoking. Why shouldn't we be encouraging people to quit by any means necessary? Also - FYI, the cartridges for e-cigs come with varying amounts of nicotine, such as 18mg, 16mg, all the way down to 0mg. If you are using an e-cigarette with 0mg nicotine the e-cigarette is 100% safe. Also, I believe this article is somewhat old. The FDA are now involved with regulating the manufacturing of e-cigs. They have saught action against 5 separate e-cig companies regarding sub standard manufacturing. If you are looking into buying an e-cig, do your research and buy from a well known company. EDITOR"S NOTE: We'll see if we can find an update on the status and regulations regarding e-cigarettes. The writer makes some good points.

I believe it should be regulated so manufactures have to reach a certain standard and safety. I believe FDA is dancing around this issue because of some power tobacco lobbies and senators. Many world health organizations including UN has come out supporting e cigarettes 'cause it is much better than tobacco cigarettes - just common sense, really. States aren't happy about it either. Even California and Washington, couple of the most antismoking states, don't endorse e cig because they stand to lose alot of tax dollars. What else do the government charge 400 to 600 percent tax rate. A carton of Marlboros costs $15 without tax at retail prices. For me, it help me kick my habit. I smoked for 30 yrs and it has helped me. I tried many different methods, but bad habits and addiction makes it quite difficult. The addiction was easier to quit, just not for people around me - I was a grouch and a half. I liked it soooooo much, I decided to sell e cigarettes.

You have to look at this from both sides. Yes I am a smoker and am in full support of Electronic Cigarettes. At the end of the day as much as I like my E cigarette I can’t say it’s perfect but the way I see it is a real cigarettes does a lot more harm to your health then an e cig so I would rather take the less of two evils.

For me any form of cigarette is not safe. I hope our government should give more effort in promoting health wellness on how deep cigarettes could impact ones life.

It can still deliver nicotine, which highly addictive, but it does not come with tobacco and its harmful smoke. Tobacco smoke is the major killer. Also, do mind your nicotine intake and vape responsibly.

It's so annoying why some people are tentative about ecigs to a point that they over react.. For crying out loud, it's not smoke but vapor! Why can't they see the positive change that people are trying to better themselves? I guess they just don't know how hard it is to give up an old habit particularly smoking...

This is a very helpful post. It gives people basic understanding to lot of people who are still under confusion of quitting smoking or trying e cigarettes to control their addiction. I would say it doesn’t make a difference as long as you are smoking. Thanks for sharing.

Great article. To me smoking is still smoking, whether e-cigarette or not.

I found this article because I’m doing some research into e-cigarettes, since there’s been a massive upsurge of advertising for them here in the UK. I’d say that a year ago, most people would never have heard of them, and now the adverts are everywhere. I guess it depends what the public health outcome will be; either a) people who would otherwise smoke cigarettes will move to e-cigs, which are *less* harmful (as against *not* harmful!) or b) people who wouldn’t have smoked will start using e-cigs because they are percieved as completely safe. An interesting social experiment…

I found this article because I'm doing some research into e-cigarettes, since there's been a massive upsurge of advertising for them here in the UK. I'd say that a year ago, most people would never have heard of them, and now the adverts are everywhere. I guess it depends what the public health outcome will be; either a) people who would otherwise smoke cigarettes will move to e-cigs, which are *less* harmful (as against *not* harmful!) or b) people who wouldn't have smoked will start using e-cigs because they are percieved as completely safe. An interesting social experiment...

I'm on my 5th week on the e-cigarette. Look, my teeth are whiter, I can run faster and I feel better. What's the problem? The risk remains courtesy of nicotine, but it's nicotine versus 4,000+ carcinogens! And FYI, e-cigs contain ZERO tobacco. They have just nicotine and this substance called gylcol, which adds the flavoring. That said, I wish the FDA would just do the proper lab testing and made an official conclusion. I feel better than I've ever felt and have no problems with regulations, but demand they be based on FACTS and not just pseudo-science or insidious claims!

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When you've made the decision that smoking is no longer for you, seek out a support group for help. It can be very beneficial to network with people who have been where you are and understand the emotional and physical challenges that you're going through. These individuals can offer support, guidance, and great tips to help you quit. Support groups can often be found at your local church, recreational center, or community college.

This is really interesting take on the concept.I never thought of it that way. I came across this site recently which I think it will be a great use of new ideas and informations. Thanks..

I started on these 2 months ago and haven't had a single cigarette since. Over 30 years I've been smoking!! Would you believe I've always been in a running club and hidden the fact I smoked. Now they're wondering why my form has suddenly improved. I've also noticed my skin looks better and I've even whitened my teeth

Electronic cigarettes are much safer than traditional cigarettes. but i still think that electronic cigarettes will still cause health issues because anything you inhale is not safe for your body. compare to a regular cigarette, i think its much better because it doesn't contain tar which causes lung cancer. who knows who e-cig can do to you since its not regulated but i have been vaping for awhile now and i do feel much healthier than when i was smoking a cigarette. its a better alternative, hopefully i can quit vaping too but it has help reduce my feen.

There are many ups and downs to smoking versus the e cigarette. My choice to buy the e cigarette was to help aid in quitting smoking. To my knowledge the e cigarette has less health factors as opposed to smoking the real cigarette. I'm sure there will be pop ups here and there of the e cigarette being just as harmful, but if it is going to help me quit smoking, I will take my chance.

I have heard about this E-cigarettes but this is the first time that I get to read an article about it. Your discussion is clear. Now, I have an idea. Thank you for your post.

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that use a liquid-filled cartridge that can contain mint, vanilla or other flavourings. The contents are vaporized into a mist that is breathed into the lungs. Some cartridges also contain nicotine. A number of scientific studies have shown favorable results for the e-cigarette industry. A study published by BioMed Central Public Health in 2011 concluded a study group of cigarette smokers substantially decreased their cigarette consumption without significant side effects by using e-cigarettes, and a 2012 study published by the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco concluded smokers who switch from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes reduce their exposure to combustion toxicants while receiving similar levels of nicotine. E-cigarettes still carry health risks and the devices haven’t been studied long-term, said Rob Flippin, nurse manager at Texas Oncology in Amarillo.

I have heard about this E-cigarettes but this is the first time that I get to read an article about it. Your discussion is clear. Now, I have an idea.