The safety of electronics cigarettes has sparked a huge controversy with both sides 
gathering steam for what may be the fight of the century. On one side, are the proponents of the ecig who rave about its health benefits and safety compared to tobacco cigarettes. On the other is the government agency the FDA who will be regulating it as either a tobacco product or a nicotine delivery device.
Long time users of electronic cigarettes say they are better than tobacco for numerous reasons including the health benefits, cost savings, convenience and safety. Experts from their camp say the ecig a better alternative to tobacco as users inhale only water vapor and minute amounts of nicotine and propylene glycol all of which are considered safe. When compared to the 4000 chemicals (43 of which are known carcinogens) inhaled while smoking a normal cigarette, this does indeed sound like an alternative to be considered.
There are also the savings earned with the electronic cigarette. Estimates vary but a conservative savings of 50% is considered accurate. This would mean $1000 per year savings could be enjoyed by a pack a day smoker. If you smoke 2 packs a day, the savings would double that, 3 packs triple and so on.
Next consider the safety and convenience of this product. The ecig does not ignite or give of ashes & smoke so there would be no accidental fire issues (smoking in bed etc.). The absence of combustion also allows the device to be used in places considered "Smoke Free" such as restaurants and nightclubs.
On the other side of the argument is the FDA. On July 22 of this year President Obama signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control
Act of 2009 allowing the FDA to regulate tobacco products. Before this, there was no regulation of the tobacco industry.
Now the key word here is REGULATE. The FDA, under this act, could not ban tobacco products but could regulate their contents, make public their ingredients, demand larger warning labels and prohibit or control advertising campaigns.
The stumbling block for the government is whether to consider the electronic cigarette a tobacco product or a nicotine delivery device. The FDA regulates medications and medication delivery devices. So if the ecig is determined to be a nicotine delivery device, it will fall under the stringent controls used to regulate the medication industry. If it is determined to be a tobacco product, it will be controlled uner the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act".
It appears the electronic cigarette industry has a lot of work to due. For them to succeed, they must convince authorities that the ecig is a tobacco product and it should be regulated as such. If it is deemed a nicotine delivery device, it will most certainly be banned as it is highly unlikey that is can be presented as a medication delivery device.
gathering steam for what may be the fight of the century. On one side, are the proponents of the ecig who rave about its health benefits and safety compared to tobacco cigarettes. On the other is the government agency the FDA who will be regulating it as either a tobacco product or a nicotine delivery device.Long time users of electronic cigarettes say they are better than tobacco for numerous reasons including the health benefits, cost savings, convenience and safety. Experts from their camp say the ecig a better alternative to tobacco as users inhale only water vapor and minute amounts of nicotine and propylene glycol all of which are considered safe. When compared to the 4000 chemicals (43 of which are known carcinogens) inhaled while smoking a normal cigarette, this does indeed sound like an alternative to be considered.
There are also the savings earned with the electronic cigarette. Estimates vary but a conservative savings of 50% is considered accurate. This would mean $1000 per year savings could be enjoyed by a pack a day smoker. If you smoke 2 packs a day, the savings would double that, 3 packs triple and so on.
Next consider the safety and convenience of this product. The ecig does not ignite or give of ashes & smoke so there would be no accidental fire issues (smoking in bed etc.). The absence of combustion also allows the device to be used in places considered "Smoke Free" such as restaurants and nightclubs.
On the other side of the argument is the FDA. On July 22 of this year President Obama signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control
Act of 2009 allowing the FDA to regulate tobacco products. Before this, there was no regulation of the tobacco industry.
Now the key word here is REGULATE. The FDA, under this act, could not ban tobacco products but could regulate their contents, make public their ingredients, demand larger warning labels and prohibit or control advertising campaigns.
The stumbling block for the government is whether to consider the electronic cigarette a tobacco product or a nicotine delivery device. The FDA regulates medications and medication delivery devices. So if the ecig is determined to be a nicotine delivery device, it will fall under the stringent controls used to regulate the medication industry. If it is determined to be a tobacco product, it will be controlled uner the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act".
It appears the electronic cigarette industry has a lot of work to due. For them to succeed, they must convince authorities that the ecig is a tobacco product and it should be regulated as such. If it is deemed a nicotine delivery device, it will most certainly be banned as it is highly unlikey that is can be presented as a medication delivery device.
this looks like a great product can't wait to try it
I am actually looking to turn the new electronic cigarette because of the new implementation of the FSC cigarette. Since regular cigarettes are getting more unhealthy, this would probably be the most logical route!
Sadly, I think you are right and they will be classified as a drug delivery system. The people who manufacture the current drug delivery systems, namely the burning tobacco and ineffective patches and gums just have too much money, power and influence. Their lobbying efforts are on the scale of 1000% times what the e-cig companies and users can muster and I'm afraid it's all going to come down to "he who spends the most to influence government can do as they wish" and cigarettes will still be available on every corner store while the e-cigs, without any known report of any major negative effect on the health of any of it's users, will be banned until the drug companies and big tobacco can manage to steal the technology and release it in five years after the expensive studies. Very sad when the laws meant to protect the people end up hurting them as well.
It's absolutely ridiculous how transparent it is that the FDA is paid off by Big Tobacco to favor it. This is identical to the situation going on with Big Pharmas control over the FDA in removing Natural Health Products off the shelves!
Essentially a device is created which is better than a tobacco cigarette in every way, not to mention safer and far less toxic. Yet all they see is the toxicity in this, yet something like cigarettes are even legal is beyond me!
As for the propylene glycol issue it's so silly,
Propylene glycol is in virtually ALL
- shampoos,
- hair care products and
- cosmetics.
Not to mention inside a majority of food products. In fact most individuals probably consume 10x the propylene glycol per year that a person using an electronic cigarette would.
This situation is much like a person who does Heroin being told to be careful about switching off onto an Herbal Relaxant because of the "potential" toxicity. It's juvenile and selfish that the powers that be are always focused on the all mighty $$$!
Of course testing for the amounts of Propylene glycol needs to be done to ensure it isn't off the chart, however even smoking pure propylene glycol would still be FAR better than smoking a tobacco cigarette.