Logical thinking, but I wouldn't use this argument in the U.S. If the electronic cigarette was recognized as a cigarette then it would be subject to all the rules and taxation of cigarettes. The vapor would then have to be tested to list tar and nicotine levels, etc. As much as I want to see the e-cig succeed I agree with TropicalBob that the e-cig in the U.S. is probably just going to be banned eventually.
The cigarette has a historical record, the e-cig does not. Cigarettes may kill but I have seen many smokers who defeated the statistical odds and died of something else entirely. The logic behind it is that e-cigs are unregulated devices using an inhalation delivery method with no proven record of safety. I personally happen to agree that the e-cig is probably safer than a cigarette if the contents are as stated and pharmaceutical grade. But anyone with a bit of money can market an e-cig now and apparently sell whatever they want in their cartridges. I have seen no certified statements of quality of cartridge ingredients. Let's not even go into the material the cartridge is made of.Ruyan said:
Considering the current situation and being a light smoker I'd rather take the small risk of cancer and other health effects from rolling my own tobacco cigarettes than the unknown effects of sucking down prodigious amounts of propylene glycol. Propylene glycol which apparently isn't even certified to be pharmaceutical grade by the manufacturers which sell these products. The novelty of the e-cig will fade quickly and people will want more information to make informed decisions. The government agencies won't be far behind.
That does also bring up the point that the way I understand it propylene glycol is only GRAS in the U.S. in food (inhalation is not specified) if it's USP (United States Pharmacopeia) quality. I see many e-cig sites casually imply that their propylene glycol is GRAS. Are they certifying then that it is USP? If it is not USP then expect the FTC to eventually get involved. The way many e-cig sites read (e.g. "less harmful than regular cigarettes", "emits a harmless vapor". etc.) I would expect FTC involvement at some point anyway.
