First, an electronic cigarette , also known as a “e-cigarette” , some people refer to it as a electronic nicotine inhaler, is a
device that is used as a substitution to a traditional cigarette. It is important for me to point out that it is marketed as a substitute to the cigarette and not a smoking cessation
device like the patch or gum. The electronic cigarette delivers nicotine to the user by vaporizing a propylene or vegetable glycol-based nicotine solution. It works by using a rechargeable battery to heat an atomizer; this atomizer contains a coil that heats up enough to turn a liquid to a vapor. The user inhales this vapor, which contains the nicotine solution and in many cases it satisfies the desire to smoke a cigarette. I could spend several hours talking about the anatomy of these devices and their uses but let’s move on to why New York is attempting to ban this device.
On April 21st, the New York State Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Linda Rosenthal to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes. The Senate version of this bill, sponsored by Senator Jeffery Klein, will soon be considered by the Senate Health Committee.
Assemblywoman Rosenthal and Senator Klein’s reasons for proposing the ban are largely based on a July 2009 press release by the FDA . The FDA’s misleading press release warned consumers that preliminary testing revealed toxic chemicals and carcinogens, but did not specify the levels found. The FDA’s test included 18 electronic cigarette cartridges and of the 18, only 1 cartridge was found to contain less than 1% of a chemical known as diethylene glycol, which is sometimes found in anti freeze. Subsequent testing by several independent labs has found no diethylene glycol in any cartridges. The FDA also announced it found trace amounts of
tobacco-specific nitrosamines or TSNAs, which at high levels, may be carcinogenic. Now I think it's important to point out that these same TSNAs are found to be at comparable levels in several FDA approved nicotine cessation products such as the patch and an inhaler made by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. They are also found in traditional cigarettes at over 1,300 times those amounts!
Additionally, what the FDA did NOT find is of significance. It did not find the 4,000 toxic ingredients nor the 50 to 60 human carcinogens that can be found in traditional cigarettes.
The FDA ,as well as the American Lung Association, are also concerned about the potential risk of marketing to minors as well as the concern that the electronic cigarette is misrepresented as a stop smoking device. However, as I mentioned before, electronic cigarettes are largely marketed as smoking alternatives. Additionally, surveys of electronic cigarette users show that 77.7% of users are former smokers over the age of 30 and not minors.
These are the primary reasons that New York legislation has chosen to ban the electronic cigarette. Aside from Senator Kleins stated reasons, I also think its fair to inform you that Pfizer a leading producer of smoking cessation devices such as a nicotine therapy patch and a pill called wellbutrin, listed on a 2009 political contributions report as having contributed money to many of New York State representatives, and on page 27 of this .pdf report the name Jefferry Klein and a dollar amount can be found, in addition to this report on a 4th quarter 2009 Medical organization contribution report, the American Lung Association can be found listed as a recipient of grants in various amounts totally nearly 1 million dollars. Again both of these reports can be found on Pfizers own website. Is public health the real reason behind this ban, or private interests?
Last I want to discuss what this means for the people of New York and potentially people worldwide. Most immediately the impact this will have upon the citizens of New York is most evident with a simple search of an internet forum know as e-cigarette-forum.com, upon browsing this site you find testimonies of those who live in new York and are faced with returning to a smoking cigarettes, a product that is destroying their health, and the health of everyone in the immediate contact with them, not to mention the countless “inconveniences” that accompany cigarette smoking. Like one woman who’s 80 year old mother depends on her to go about daily life, and without the use of an electronic cigarette in place of a traditional cigarette faces impending health issues herself.
Or We could take a look at the World Health Organizations web site as see statics regarding the impact of smoking on the world. For example according to the WHO website as of May 2009, worldwide, every 8 seconds someone dies because of cigarette smoking. You will also find that there are more than 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette most of those are carcinogenic, in most cases there are 3-4 ingredients in the liquid solution used by an electronic cigarette. Smoking related diseases cost the US more than 150 million dollars annually, regardless if you are a smoker, or have a family member that is a smoker, regardless if you have a dire concern for your health or the public health , the fact remains that with such high costs related to cancer causing cigarettes everyone is paying a tax for their use. The truth of the matter is that there has not been conclusive testing to determine that the e-cigarette is detrimental to anyone’s health, however in the 5 years that they have been on the world market there have been no reports of illness or injury due to electronic cigarette use. But the facts are overwhelming regarding traditional cigarette smoking.
If any of you have additional questions or comments, we will have a both set up in the lobby with pamphlets and brochures, please feel free to stop by and speak to one of our representatives. Thank you and please drive home safe
