Are Electronic Cigarettes Really Safe?

Quit smoking options are abundant and include the patch, nicotine gum, anti-smoking oral medications, and the age-old cold turkey technique. Despite all of these options, smoking is still prevalent across the country and right here in Crawford County where almost one-quarter of the population takes part in the habit. Studies have shown that smoking is one of the hardest addictions to give up because of the strong addictive quality of the drug nicotine. Thanks to decades of public health outcry, product manufacturers have attempted to reduce the effects of smoking by introducing light or slim cigarette versions, and today we have the most recent option: the electronic cigarette. Several brands are now on the market, all of which are being marketed as the safest alternative to smoking actual cigarettes.

Crawford County’s tobacco coalition, under the auspices of the Crawford Health Improvement Coalition, isn’t fully convinced that this is truly a “healthier” option to smoking. The American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy recently studied the electronic cigarette and found some surprising revelations. The journal reported that the electronic cigarette is constructed with three specific elements: a nicotine chamber, an atomization chamber with a membrane that suspends the ingredients, and an electronic chip with a rechargeable lithium battery. While this construction sounds like the cigarettes protect against inhaling the addictive nicotine drug, there are several aspects of these cigarettes that are not commonly known. The Federal Department of Agriculture’s Division of Pharmacy’s analysis discovered the presence of two lethal chemicals within two brands of the electronic units: diethylene glycol (a compound found in antifreeze) and nitrosamine (a known carcinogen).  Furthermore, the vapor released from the electronic cigarettes still contains nicotine; yet, it is too early to determine if secondary exposure to this vapor poses any threat.

In addition, the product is designed to actually release just enough nicotine to feed the nicotine addiction. According to The American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, “it appears that electronic cigarettes are intended to deliver addictive levels of nicotine, which could lead to adverse affects.” Unfortunately, this new product is not subject to the FDA regulatory action as they do not fall under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Furthermore, no electronic cigarette has received FDA approval; therefore, manufacturers can continue to make claims of the product being a safe alternative to smoking. The cigarettes are too new to have undergone significant clinical trials that would reveal any possible dangers.

Unless the cigarettes are truly deemed safe, smokers should consider more traditional methods to quit smoking. The tobacco coalition within Crawford County continues to advocate for safe quit smoking options and is willing to assist anyone interested in giving up the unhealthy habit. To date, the best and most effective quit smoking option is to remove the nicotine completely from your body. To do so requires absolute abstinence from smoking. Smokers should discuss the options with their primary care physician and start moving toward removing the lethal drug from their system. Eliminating the drug from the body will improve your lung capacity, energy level, and overall quality of life.

References:

Wollscheid, K.A. & Kremzner, M. E. (2009). Electronic cigarettes: Safety concerns and regulatory issues. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 66, 1740-1742.