The vapor surrounding ‘e-cigs’

Electronic cigarettes, e-cigs, are gaining in popularity among people trying to quit smoking. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and doctors believe consumers don’t realize that e-cigs contain nicotine and other dangerous chemicals as well. What is an electronic cigarette? There are countless brands and flavors of e-cigs as companies try to broaden their appeal. They come in various shapes and forms, resembling an old fashioned cigarette, pens, USB flash drives, cigars, and pipes. They are battery operated and turn nicotine and other chemicals and flavors into a vapor that consumers inhale. One of the known ingredients in e-cigs is propylene glycol, which is found in medical products and everyday items such as toothpaste and lotions. Although e-cigs were introduced to the U.S. market in 2007, the first patent of a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette was obtained in 1963 by Herbert A. Gilbert. In 2003, the cigarettes became popular in China when pharmacist Hon Lik promoted them through his company, Ruyan, which means “resembling smoking.” Banned In 2009, the FDA began to stop shipments of electronic cigarettes from entering the country, requiring they be formally registered. The ban was later lifted, allowing shipments back into the U.S.
In 2010, former Gov. Jon Corzine signed into law a ban on electronic cigarettes in public places and workplaces. The ban also included e-cigarette sales to consumers 18 years of age and under. Children were a specific focus of the law because the various flavors and styles were meant to appeal to them. The ban was approved unanimously by the New Jersey Senate and Assembly. The law made New Jersey the first state to ban the use of e-cigs in public and workplaces. The bans have not stopped consumers from purchasing electronic cigarettes. Several pro-electronic cigarette associations continue to dispute what they claim to be false claims by the FDA. Transitioning People hoping to quit smoking have turned to e-cigs with the belief that they offer less nicotine than the tobacco cigarette, a belief medical officials refute. Alyssa Bredin from Hoboken has been a smoker for eight years and has now become an e-cig user. Bredin has been “vaping” for about a year now and could not be happier with the results, she said. “I feel better; I don’t smell; and I can breathe easier,” she said. “My throat used to be so dry all the time when I would wake up. As far as I know [the only real ingredient] is nicotine, and nictotine is a stimulant and it’s not that bad for you, [unlike] the 50 million chemicals in cigarettes.”
Bredin’s mother, Terri Bish, also a Hoboken resident, also transitioned from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigs. Bish believes that the U.S. made e-cigs are far more safe than those from other countries. _____________ “Since none of the e-cigarette products are currently regulated by the FDA, we really have no firm information about their safety.” – Dr. Michael Steinberg ____________ “The American-grade nicotine goes to the standards, much like the patch, and you can mix your own,” said Bish. “Usually if you order [electronic cigarettes] from the United States it gives you the exact ingredients in the nicotine. The stuff coming out of China does not. My lungs cleared up; I don’t have that smoker’s cough when I get up in the morning; your nasal passages don’t feel dry; [there’s] no tar and crap all over my teeth anymore. It leaves no smell. For most heavy smokers, this has been a life saver.” The trend has become so popular that last year, a store opened on Hoboken’s Washington Street exclusively selling e-cigs. Read more: Hudson Reporter - The vapor surrounding ‘e cigs’ Electronic cigarettes gaining popularity despite FDA concerns