There is now a new way to smoke which is the electronic cigarette. This new cigarette is up against much controversy as it has not yet been approved or even classified by the FDA. Those for the electronic cigarette have their viewpoint and those against have theirs. Here is a basic run down of both sides.
Those for the electronic cigarette have begun to label it as green smoking. Green has become such a buzz word lately that everyone is trying to capitalize off of it. According to Electronic Cigarette Tavern the electronic cigarette is green as it does not emit smoke or carbon dioxide. The electronic cigarette uses heated vapor to release nicotine.
The Electronic Cigarette Tavern further states that the electronic cigarette is good because it does not use tobacco. The elimination of tobacco eliminates the combustion process of tobacco which is “lethal” and the electronic cigarette removes the chemicals from tobacco and is “far less unhealthy”.
The ease of use of electronic cigarettes is what Njoy E Cigarette Solution would like the consumer to realize. Without the smoke caused by tobacco Njoy E Cigarette Solution posits that you can now smoke in bars, the workplace and on airplanes.
E Cigarettes Choice markets the electronic cigarette as a great money saving option and says the “decision is easy to become and instant modern smoker.”
The electronic cigarette companies are even adding flavors to their cigarettes to make smoking more fun. You can now inhale your nicotine and enjoy the taste of strawberry or chocolate.
On the opposite side of the controversy come the findings from the FDA. According to the FDA the electronic cigarettes contain “carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze.” Electronic cigarettes have not been submitted to the FDA for official approval and therefore have no FDA warnings on them.
According to the Wall Street Journal, there is an ongoing battle in the courts at the moment for the FDA to have the power to regulate the electronic cigarettes as drug or drug administering devices. At the moment the FDA has regulations over nicotine lollipops and patches but not electronic cigarettes. The FDA and others are worried that the electronic cigarettes do not have a firm control on the nicotine in the electronic cigarettes and can lead to hazardous health affects.
According to a CNN report on March 13, 2009 by Danielle Dellorto the fight is over the Cancer causing smoke. The electronic cigarettes remove the smoke from the smokers lungs and from those around them. People feel as if it does not cause cancer then go ahead and do it. Manufacturers of the electronic cigarettes are not sure of the side effects but they are “pretty sure they are safe.”
The health effects of nicotine addiction according to the Mayo Clinic are as follows: addiction, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, anger, hunger, insomnia and constipation. According to a report in the New York Times Health Guide from May of 2010 Nicotine poisoning can result in shortness or stopping of breath, coma, convulsions, fainting, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure and vomiting.
It appears as if not enough is known about electronic cigarettes or nicotine overdose caused by electronic cigarettes yet to have this product sold so prevalently. More research will come out and hopefully before kids get addicted to bubble gum tasting electronic cigarettes.
Sources:
http://www.electroniccigarettetavern.com/
http://www.ecigarettesolution.com/
http://www.ecigaretteschoice.com/
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm173222.htm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704022804575041131258830988.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/13/ecigarettes.smoking/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nicotine-dependence/DS00307/DSECTION=symptoms
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/poison/nicotine/overview.html
