FDA looks to regulate tobacco products -- but not electronic cigarettes

[cyberwolf]

I found this article from the LA Times on the Sun-sentinel today. Notable mostly for the headline.

The most interesting quote:
"But issues abound, according to this Healthy Skeptic column. No one yet knows if e-cigarettes are more or less effective than, say, gums or patches, because they haven’t been independently scientifically tested for this, some experts say." Not a very high bar, in my opinion...

 

[player30]

Thanks for posting!

 

[IOU]

I am still very skeptical whether, or not, the FDA is plotting something against the e-cig and PV industry.

 

[KDK]

I am still very skeptical whether, or not, the FDA is plotting something against the e-cig and PV industry.

Of course they are. The FDA doesn't want anyone to have anything that they haven't approved, including vitamins. Next thing you know, food will have to be tested to make sure it has just the right nutrients at the correct concentration (per FDA regs), or it will be outlawed. They are already going after vitamins, as of course big Pharma would like them to be by RX only and only available as a medicine so they could charge alot more.

 

[Vocalek]

Of course they are. The FDA doesn't want anyone to have anything that they haven't approved, including vitamins. Next thing you know, food will have to be tested to make sure it has just the right nutrients at the correct concentration (per FDA regs), or it will be outlawed. They are already going after vitamins, as of course big Pharma would like them to be by RX only and only available as a medicine so they could charge alot more.

It has already started. The vitamin "Slo-Niacin" (a slow-release formula for a B vitamin that naturally lowers cholesterol) has been available for years. Pharma recently got FDA approval for "Niaspan", a prescription version of the same ingredients as "Slo-Niacin" (and much more expensive.) Same goes for Fish Oil, now available in prescription form as "Lovanza." The vitamin companies, of course, are not allowed to point out that clinical trials prove these supplements help to lower cholesterol levels. That has to be spread by word of mouth.

 

[Kempton]

It has already started. The vitamin "Slo-Niacin" (a slow-release formula for a B vitamin that naturally lowers cholesterol) has been available for years. Pharma recently got FDA approval for "Niaspan", a prescription version of the same ingredients as "Slo-Niacin" (and much more expensive.) Same goes for Fish Oil, now available in prescription form as "Lovanza." The vitamin companies, of course, are not allowed to point out that clinical trials prove these supplements help to lower cholesterol levels. That has to be spread by word of mouth.

Ah yes Niacin, you have to get the type that causes a flush on the system, and the over the counter Niacin causes a flush you have to experience to believe. Eat anything with warm spices with that and your skin is itchy, hot and tingles for quite a while. I went to my doctor and told her that I went off "lipitor" as it destroys the liver, destroys muscles, depletes your body of CO Q10 which is essential to heart health and she disagreed with me vehemently. She said her info disagreed. I said your info comes from Phizer and I hate them. My lab results came back cholesterol perfect, my next appointment she tells me her husband is on Niacin now, and that I should be my own doctor. I said then I wouldn't get to see you. Good laugh, heh heh heh. I take niaspan now as it does cause a flush, which shows it is doing what it should, opening the capiliaries to move more blood cells through and clean it, but the flush is much less than the over the counter. By the by, no really old people have low cholesterol, hmmm is it that bad? She also thinks e-cigs are amazing. I also have a great drug plan so the cost of Niaspan (sp?) doesn't effect me. But I was also told I had type 2 diabetes, I said I don't think that is a desease, it is a sign of poor diet and lifestyl, echanged my diet, worked out, take GTF Chromium, Apple Cider Vinegar, and coconut oil, hmmmm blood sugar is perfct, always. The "diagnosis" was made after a bad couple of years of eating terribly, gaining a ....-load of weight and being stressed, not realizing stress is a good thing but worrying about it. Man we've been fed a load of ....e in the last few decades....... Paddy

 

[Vocalek]

Plain old niacin does cause a flush. The slow release niacin (one brand name is "Slo Niacin) does not cause a flush. I take two a day.

 

[JohnKing]

I am still very skeptical whether, or not, the FDA is plotting something against the e-cig and PV industry.

All regulatory agencies act as proxy for those they regulate, for the most part they are full of insiders (SEC has revolving door with Wall Street), typically those with regulatory power will only act to crush competition, it has nothing to do with "consumer safety", "protecting the investor" or any other slogan they happen to slap on the door.