The public health community keeps claiming the same thing: "We don't know" about e-cigarettes.
This is completely false.
There have been half a dozen tests and studies and three surveys of e-cigarette users.
Here is what we DO know from published and/or public tests, studies and surveys:
1. E-cigarettes contain no more nitrosamines (cancer-causing compounds) than the FDA-approved nicotine patch.
2. There have been no toxic levels of chemicals found in any e-cigarette tested. The FDA found approximately 1% of diethylene glycol (which they called "anti freeze") in ONE sample of 18 tested. That was in the liquid, not the inhaled vapor. No other testing has found any diethylene glycol since.
3. Surveys of THOUSANDS of e-cigarette users found that over 70% were over the age of 30 and nearly ALL were former smokers. There is no indication that e-cigarettes are attractive to non-smokers or teens from these surveys.
4. In spite of concerns over internet access and "candy flavors," there have been no reports of great numbers of teens investing $50 - $150 to buy e-cigarettes. Surveys show that many adult e-cigarette users enjoy the fruit and candy flavors over the fake tobacco flavors and use those flavors to distance themselves further from the taste of tobacco smoking. Consider that Nicorette also comes in fruit chill, cherry and mint, yet they aren't accused of targeting children. Pleasant flavors appeal to adults or Nicorette wouldn't offer them.
5. In over 3 years on the U.S. market and over half a million users, there have been no reports made public (by the FDA or any medical groups) of illness or injury attributed to e-cigarette use. On the contrary, e-cigarette user survey respondents report improved lung function and better overall health and stamina. Yet public health continues to ignore this fact.
6. E-cigarettes deliver less nicotine than tobacco smoke. Smokers self-regulate, so it doesn't matter if the amounts vary puff-to-puff. Once they've satisfied the desire, they stop puffing. There is no risk for someone who already smokes and switches to e-cigarettes to become "more addicted." In fact, since there is no cigarette burning away, there is no need to "finish it" with an e-cigarette like there is with an expensive tobacco cigarette. So users likely consume LESS nicotine than with smoking, because they put it away when satisfied rather than not "waste it" and continue to smoke until it's gone, like they would with a tobacco cigarette.
6. E-cigarettes are not intended nor advertised as a treatment for nicotine addiction. Even though in surveys and testimonials e-cigarette users report that they are able to quit smoking, they do not claim to have cured nicotine addiction. Quitting smoking and quitting nicotine should be considered two different things, but the pubic health groups treat them as one and the same. This is a dangerous policy that puts many lives at risk.
In fact, e-cigarettes are intended to be an ALTERNATIVE to smoking, much like diet soda or low-fat products are a healthier food alternative. You wouldn't consider them "healthy" - just less bad for you than the real thing.
Health groups say there is "no proof" e-cigarettes help you quit smoking, but what they really mean is that there is no proof they help you quit nicotine. And they don't tell people that nicotine use, without smoke, is as about safe as using caffeine - so you don't need to quit nicotine to be considered as having "quit smoking."
There will never be proof that e-cigarettes help you quit nicotine because that is not their purpose; their purpose is to provide nicotine in a safer, lower risk form.
The NC state health department was right about one thing - the public DOES deserve to know more about these products - they deserve to know the TRUTH.
(I do not sell e-cigarettes. I am a board member of CASAA and a former smoker who quit over one year ago and has no desire to go back - so long as they don't take away my e-cigarette!)
