Sigh. This whole mess is scary - I didn't even know about the flavored cigarette ban until very recently. Anyway here's what I was able to post there:
This is irresponsible coverage. News outlets need to perform some basic fact checking before publishing articles. The statement that these devices do not deliver nicotine is patently false. Studies of vapor emissions from a number of electronic cigarettes have been conducted with quantified nicotine levels. The nicotine levels found are generally lower when compared to a
tobacco cigarette, however, this simply requires a greater number of pulls on an e-cig to reach desired nicotine concentration in the bloodstream.
Studies on liquid and (more importantly) vapor:
www healthnz co nz / RuyanCartridgeReport30-Oct-08 pdf
A simple table highlighting results from study above:
www healthnz co nz/ECigsExhaledSmoke htm
More studies:
Docs google com / fileview?id=0Bxpt4byVBHeTNWQ2NmEzN2ItNDY1NC00N2MxLWJmYTctMWExNGU4ZjgwYWUz&hl=en
www fda gov / downloads / Drugs / ScienceResearch / UCM173250 pdf
njoythefreedom com/contactcommerce/images/press_releases/Response%20to%20the%20FDA%20Summary pdf
Most interestingly, the FDA study itself found "26.8 to 43.2 mcg nicotine/100 mL puff" The empirical evidence is strongly against the nicotine related claims in this article. As to the "hazardous chemicals" from the use of electronic cigarettes.
The findings, yes even in the FDA study, are that tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA) levels in e-cigarette fluid are comparable to those found in the nicotine replacement therapy products (NRT) such as the patch and gum. The FDA found trace amounts of diethylene glycol in 1 out of 17 cartridges they tested, likely residue from the nicotine extraction process from tobacco. The other 16 cartridges did not have detectable levels.
The liquid vaporized by electronic cigarettes is composed of either propylene glycol (used in combination with triethylene gycol in fog machines and on it's own in asthma inhalers and such) or vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and flavoring. Propylene glycol is sometimes used as an ingredient in antifreeze but in order to make it less toxic, and taste less sweet (therefore making it safer for animals). It has also been found to be rather safe in a number of studies:
www ajph org /cgi/reprint /36/4/390 pdf
www time com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,932876-1,00 html
www epa gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/REDs/ propylene_glycol_red pdf
Overall, evidence (and common
sense) thus far indicate that use of electronic cigarettes is far less harmful to users and bystanders than tobacco cigarettes. They can be used to step down to 0 nicotine as cartridges and liquid are available in different nicotine concentrations. However, nicotine consumption at levels common to an e-cigarette user are hardly more harmful than caffeine users (read coffee drinkers). Here's what wikipedia has on nicotine (I know, it's wikipedia but there are sources at any rate):
en wikipedia org /wiki/Nicotine
On a personal note, I've been smoking for 12 years and using electronic cigarettes has given me real hope of quitting. I tried cold turkey and the gum numerous times and just went back to smoking. With this product I can simulate the act of smoking (a substantial part of the addiction) and yet avoid ~4000 chemicals found in tobacco cigarettes. I have not had a cigarette since I started using one.
