I do not understand the FDA's witch hunt over electronic cigarettes. This is a device that can help thousands of people addicted to nicotine find a safer alternative than using tobacco products. My wife and I have both used these devices for a little over a month now and have completely stopped smoking regular tobacco cigarettes altogether. Considering the number of chemicals and carcinogens in regular cigarettes, I would think there would be more of a drive to ban them. Not a device that eliminates almost all of the chemicals save for the nicotine and the base mixtures used to make the liquids inhaled with these devices.
I know there is some concern over the ingredients used to make the liquids used in electronic cigarettes but Propylene Glycol is already an additive in several foods. If it is not healthy for electronic cigarettes, why is it approved for food use? Also, liquids for electronic cigarettes can be made with Vegetable Glycerin which is also used as a food additive. From what I have read, these substances are FAR less harmful than anything in regular tobacco products, so why aren't you trying to ban the use of tobacco instead?
The only option left is to use approved pharmaceutical methods to quit smoking. Does the FDA really look at the list of potential side effects before they approve a drug? It's hard to believe that they do considering the side effects of some medications they have approved for the public's use. Despite the fact that many of the drugs used as smoking cessation aids can bring about borderline psychotic episodes and pose potentially serious health risks, they are still readily available to the public. Yet the FDA is ready to ban the sale and use of electronic cigarettes?
I will agree that there should be some regulation over the sale of electronic cigarettes and the nicotine
juice used in them for safety's sake. HOWEVER, I cannot understand why the FDA and several states are calling for outright bans on the use of these devices. Regardless of the risks as the market is now, they are still far safer than regular tobacco products or pharmaceutical solutions and they are also considerably less expensive. Of course, I'm sure our government will figure out a way to fix that by taxing the holy hell out of them once they become regulated.
If you ask me, this whole thing smells of pandering to large special interest groups. More specifically, the tobacco industry and the pharmaceutical companies. Big tobacco doesn't like it because it will make people stop using tobacco products and they will lose money. The big pharmaceutical companies don't like it because it's not a drug they can control like Wellbutrin or Chantix. Since these two are large contributors to our government's deep pockets, it stands to reason that what they want, they will get.
I would get down on my knees and beg that electronic cigarettes not be banned but I feel that would be pointless since we all know who is really lining Uncle Sam's pockets. My tax money isn't a drop in the bucket compared to what the tobacco and pharmaceutical companies are pumping out. In the end, they will most likely win and once again the public will lose out.
The FDA has taken the wrong approach regarding electronic cigarettes and I hope they will reconsider their position on the matter regardless of their motivation. I would like to thank you for your time reading this long winded diatribe even though I doubt that it will have any effect what so ever on the final outcome of the situation. Still, I felt I must speak up and make my opinions known. Thank you again for your time.
