Electronic Cigarettes and anti-freeze

[faithinacure]

Just a heads up on e-cigarettes:

Here are some articles on the dangers of electronic cigs. One of the substances, a known carcinogen, diethylene glycolis is used in antifreeze. I'm glad something was done at least regarding this import for those of us with loved ones using these. Bubble gum flavors used to attract the kid market makes it especially not cool.


FDA: Electronic cigarettes contain toxics - The Denver Post

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072202902.html]washingtonpost.com[/url

In case the link is lost it was posted on July 22, 2009.

Here's an article in USA Today by Liz Szabo, "FDA considers ways to short-circuit electronic cigarettes"

The Food and Drug Administration, recently granted the authority to regulate tobacco as a drug, is taking aim at electronic cigarettes — battery-powered cigarette look-alikes that deliver nicotine and produce a puff of odorless vapor.

Tests show that e-cigarettes contain "known carcinogens and toxic chemicals," including diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze, officials announced Wednesday during a teleconference. The FDA notes that the products have no warning labels.

Over the past year, the FDA has seized 50 shipments of e-cigarettes, which the agency considers to be combination drug/medical devices, says the FDA's Michael Levy. Companies were marketing the products illegally, because they hadn't gotten FDA approval for new drugs or medical devices, says Joshua Sharfstein, principal deputy commissioner of the FDA.

The FDA is reviewing the new tobacco law and considering a range of enforcement actions, which could include recalls or even criminal sanctions, Levy says.

E-cigarette makers say their products can be used anywhere and don't produce secondhand smoke. In April, one maker, Smoking Everywhere, filed a federal lawsuit against the FDA, claiming the agency doesn't have the jurisdiction to regulate its products.


Health advocates, however, say that e-cigarettes are being marketed to kids. By adding flavors such as bubble gum, e-cigarettes could get children hooked on nicotine and serve as a gateway to tobacco, says Jonathan Winickoff, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Tobacco Consortium, who spoke at the FDA's teleconference. He notes that the products are sold online and at shopping malls, where their marketing videos are seen by children and teens.

Ads make e-cigarettes look sexy and grown-up, says Matthew McKenna of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And seeing adults use them in public places that are normally smoke-free could make kids think that smoking — of any kind — is normal and safe, he says.

On its website, the Electronic Cigarette Association denies marketing to children. It notes that the $100 cost of an e-cigarette starter kit — and the added cost of refill cartridges — make them unaffordable for kids.

Ron MacDonald, president and CEO of Crown7 e-cigarettes, says he's just trying to give smokers an alternative to tobacco.

"The bottom line is that if a smoker wants to smoke, they are going to smoke regular cigarettes," he says

Maybe the FDA is changing somewhat in the direction of protection. It's a good sign.

[Katinka]

Hi Faith, thanks for posting this...It's important for folks to know especially if they have kids...

Here's a pic...just in case...



Kat

[Kritters]

Faith~

"Ron....McDonald?" LOL.....

great that the FDA is finally doing something right.

xoKritts

[faithinacure]

Thanks Kritts and Kat:
Yeah, hoping this reflects a trend in honesty at the FDA.
Faithxoxoxo

[dereck72]

The compound they found DEC was in 1 sample out of a dozen or so...BTW the SAME exact chemical is used in the drying process of traditional tobacco products ALONG with 3999 other known carcinogens...they FDA is using a stall tactic to slow ecigarettes down until they figure out a way to tax thier use.
Should they be marked to kids....of course not. And they aren't, you see flavored pipe smoke all the time. I don't see children puffin away on corncobbs in the schoolyard cause they got apple flavored tobacco.
Truth is they're not getting a cut of the action on ecigs yet...I have noticed since ecigs are becoming more popular I've see a steady incline in advertising for Chantix...which is KNOWN to kill some of its users. Ecigs have been used for YEARS in other parts of the world and you know how many deaths are recorded from ecig use???? ZERO! NADA ZILCH NONE!
Yes I have been using for about a week now you know how many cigarettes I've smoked this week? again ZERO! NADA ZILCH NONE!
These products ARE NOT maketed to underage kids as a matters of fact just about every ad I've seen its marketed as an alternative for current tobacco users.

[jonsi]

Wow dereck,

I need to quit smoking tobacco. I see your point on the tax issue. You are giving me some incentive to try the e-cigs.

Thank you,
~jonsi

[Katinka]

Originally Posted by jonsi

Wow dereck,

I need to quit smoking tobacco. I see your point on the tax issue. You are giving me some incentive to try the e-cigs.

Thank you,
~jonsi

Hi Jonsi, had to laugh..
what in the world besides tobacco can you else smoke?...oooyeah..need to quit too!

Kat

[dereck72]

do your research/homework if you're truely interested in these products. I did, I have had one cig today because I ran out of juice while I was away from home and it tasted absolutely horrible...remember when you first smoked? Well, thats how bad it was. When I hit 1 month I'm gonna go to Bascome's...a really swank steakhouse in Clearwater and order me a 30 oz porterhouse! See how one REALLY tastes!

[dereck72]

I read up a little...they actually use real menthol crystals in order to create methol flavor. gonna do more reading up on that. I see a lot of posts regarding how mentol crystals help in thier environment. who knows it might help with the stuff going on in my sinuses and ears.

[jonsi]

Kat!!!!

dereck, I bet that porterhouse is going to taste great! Man, if I lived in Florida I would go to the Tampa support group and then join you for dinner. Sounds like a plan.

Peace,
~jonsi