My thought on E cigs

[Ciara]

$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[jcb287]

Just a matter of time before this regulated I'm afraid
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[Rationality]

I don't understand the thinking behind the part that I put in bold. The last sentence says it all: the FDA is looking out for the interests of the businesses. That's what they do. Look at any set of FDA regulations, and for every one that is supposed to be about consumer safety, you should find at least ten that protect business interests.

I neither need nor want FDA approval or regulation. If I want to know what's in my eliquid, then I can make it myself or buy only from those who offer full disclosure of their ingredients. If I suspect that I cannot trust a supplier, then I won't buy from them.

Actually, that's no different than it would be if the products were regulated.

On the flip side of that coin, if I happen to disagree with FDA "experts" about whether or not an ingredient is "safe," I'd prefer to make the call myself rather than being told what can legally be included in eliquid. Even worse is when they determine that something must be added and dangerous chemicals are included because the government said so in order to "protect" us. (Fire proof cigs, anyone?)

To agree that the government should regulate eliquids I'd have to believe a) that they have MY best interests at heart, b) that they are right more often than they are wrong, and c) that they would react immediately to new research. Then I'd also have to return to a childlike state, content to let others make my decisions for me.

Bit of a late reply, but what I meant by that was that regardless of all the negatives of the FDA, I do think that they would add some positive regulation. I would imagine it would be similar to medication that is FDA approved - ingredients would not only be listed and checked, side effects would be listed and checked. Basically general information would be far more accessible to those who perhaps have not found this forum (or to those who have but are dissuaded from joining after seeing the mass amounts of information they would have to sift through in order to understand everything they need to feel confident in vaping).

There is so much mixed information and mixed opinion, for all the FDA's flaws, I think there would be more incentive for not only their own testing, but more widespread testing from organizations interested in finding out if this is valid. More information would also likely get out to the public if they heard there was an FDA approved safer alternative to smoking.

The most important implication of this to me, however, is the fact that (like with most other government regulated consumables) testing could also lead to organized recalls if negative ingredients were found. When I first heard about ecigs, I thought it was all made in China (and I know a great deal of what's out there is) and I was too scared to try more than a few puffs until I found an American vendor. The lack of regulation there combined with the focus on quantity versus quality means that there is probably not much in terms of safety or testing in place. Whether this is true or not, after scares like lead in toothpaste and toys, this is how many people think. Even with many American made products there are huge recalls of products. These recalls can lead to a more secure product (as with the safety seal being added to Tylenol after someone contaminated a few bottles and they had to do a massive recall of their product) or better care of the product (as with the discovery during random safety testing of a brand of birth control pills that those stored in direct sunlight became ineffective, and a massive recall as well as new storage guidelines were implemented). FDA approval would mean more systematic testing and better ease of access to products that may have been contaminated. Basically, general regulation and accountability is important in creating a good/safe product, and in gaining support from potential consumers.

This reason alone would make me okay with FDA approval, regardless of other inconveniences like price.

To agree that the government should regulate eliquids I'd have to believe a) that they have MY best interests at heart, b) that they are right more often than they are wrong, and c) that they would react immediately to new research. Then I'd also have to return to a childlike state, content to let others make my decisions for me.

Edit: And one more thing, in regards to the part quoted above. Just because I can see the pros and cons and come to a different conclusion than you does not mean that I am in a "childlike state". Clearly I am making my own decisions, as I am vaping despite the lack of FDA approval, but seeing the benefits of having the government on your side does not make me a sheep. There are many products that are good that have been FDA approved, so taking the most negative decisions as a reason to disregard them altogether seems ridiculous to me. Just because I prioritize making ecigs more accessible and safe, and also know that I don't have to agree with EVERYTHING an organization does in order to see potential benefits in what it COULD do does not make me unable to think for myself. I'm not sure why you would include such a condescending statement in your post at all. Not everyone that disagrees or makes a point that you don't understand is beneath you.

 

[Thornbyrd]

Rationality,

I can see your side and the logic behind your arguments and in a perfect world I would support you.

Unfortunatly we don't live in a perfect world and with so many big companies looking to lose massive revenue and the likely loss of tax revenue, it is highly unlikely at this point that e-cigs would get a fair trial so to speak. There no incentive for the FDA to examine the benefits of e-cigs.

On the other hand, if regulation and quality control to inspire consumer confidence is your concern and goal, why does it have to be a government agency. Plenty of industries have formed their own governing bodies that set out health, and manufacturing processes that if not followed then the agency does not endorce the product. Most of these self regulated industries require companies to have periodic audits of their manufacturing process and ingredients in order to keep their rating as an approved product.

With the current state of self interest of governments in so many countries, I honestly feel I'd be much more in support of a self regulating agency that is atonamous from the government.

Just another 2 cents to add to the pile.

Thornbyrd

 

[Rationality]

Rationality,

I can see your side and the logic behind your arguments and in a perfect world I would support you.

Unfortunatly we don't live in a perfect world and with so many big companies looking to lose massive revenue and the likely loss of tax revenue, it is highly unlikely at this point that e-cigs would get a fair trial so to speak. There no incentive for the FDA to examine the benefits of e-cigs.

On the other hand, if regulation and quality control to inspire consumer confidence is your concern and goal, why does it have to be a government agency. Plenty of industries have formed their own governing bodies that set out health, and manufacturing processes that if not followed then the agency does not endorce the product. Most of these self regulated industries require companies to have periodic audits of their manufacturing process and ingredients in order to keep their rating as an approved product.

With the current state of self interest of governments in so many countries, I honestly feel I'd be much more in support of a self regulating agency that is atonamous from the government.

Just another 2 cents to add to the pile.

Thornbyrd

Not sure if you read my original post that ~Jo~ was replying to, but I said:

If marijuana is still illegal based on paper companies' fear of losing money, why would ecigs which threaten another huge industry be legal? Weed is far less harmful than alcohol and ecigs are clearly far less harmful than cigarettes (especially if they were FDA approved and eliquid content more regulated). Basically.. FDA is looking out for the interests of the established businesses.

I know that the FDA has other motives and that it probably won't treat ecigs fairly. What ~Jo~ objected to was the part in bold where I essentially said that ecigs would be even less likely to be harmful if the FDA did approve them and eliquids were regulated.

In short, I know we don't live in a perfect world. I just disagree that, if not motivated by big business and instead giving ecigs a legitimate decision, the FDA would be incapable of providing any benefits to how ecigs are currently distrubuted (when in fact they have done so in other areas).