Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?

(CBS)  Electronic cigarettes are popping up in shopping malls, kiosks and online.
You might not be lighting up tobacco, but are they a safer alternative to regular cigarettes?

Doctor Jonathan Whiteson from New York University's Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Program talked to Early Show co-anchors Julie Chen and Harry Smith about the product.

"Are they safe?" Chen asked.

"We don't know, but we don't think so," Whiteson said.

"It's not tobacco that you're smoking, then what is it?" Chen asked.

"It's not smoking. What you're actually inhaling is a vapor. These electronic cigarettes are battery powered and they vaporize nicotine, so you're inhaling the nicotine vapor. So, you're getting the nicotine hit, but without the toxic smoke and contents of the cigarette and the tar. However, there's no proof that these cigarettes are safe. No proof whatsoever. They are made in China. They're unregulated. Certainly not approved by the FDA," Whiteson said.

Smith, who smoked in his 20's and said that the best thing he'd ever done was quit, was curious to see what the sensation was like and tried the product.

Though very distasteful to Smith now, he said that the electronic cigarettes reminded him a lot of smoking.

"We don't know if it's safe at all, period. Again, this is unregulated. We don't know how much nicotine is exactly there. We don't know how much is being delivered. We don't know the contents of the vapor. This has not been studied," Whiteson said.

"So does this mean it could be worse for you than cigarettes?" Chen asked.

"It could be. The manufacturers think it's safer, but it could be worse. We just don't know at this time," Whiteson said. "We have no analysis of the vapor."

"So why does it exist? It sounds like a gimmick. They make you think you can get off cigarettes by smoking this," Chen said.

"That's right. It's a smoking cessation product, but it isn't. Again, it's not FDA approved, it's not been tried and tested," Whiteson said.

"Does that mean you could get addicted to this, which could be worse?" Chen asked.

"Absolutely. My biggest concern is these things are marketed to younger people, to adolescents. And my biggest concern is that adolescents are going to start smoking these cigarettes thinking they're not getting any dangerous products. But the first hit of nicotine can make you addicted, and that is so concerning. We already have more adolescents than adults smoking, and the last thing we want to do is encourage them to smoke more," Whiteson said.

"What is the best way to quit smoking cigarettes?" Chen asked.

"The best way to quit is through discussions with your physician in a program that's recognized as smoking cessation, to use nicotine replacement that's approved by the FDA, either a patch, gum or lozenge and also to work on the behavioral changes, so that emotionally you can be ready to quit and you can be prepared if there are any triggers to start you smoking," Whiteson said.

[smokepower]

The FDA needs to leave this issue alone. I think people should be free to make their own decisions on this at sites like www.smokepower.com

[SmokeeReviews]

You know what they say about opinions. :) I had a look at your site and it is an interesting product. I suggest that you have a look at some of the review sites that cover multiple brands in an environment where people give honest reviews like http://www.smokee.com/ . Have a look and tell me what you think.

[ROMPERSTOMPA]

I have to stress; you adjust the nicotine levels according to personal taste. I started at 24mg menthol when at first then proceeded to go lower. The nicotine levels range from 24mg - 18mg - 11mg - 6mg- 0mg, or no nicotine with The Safe Cig. I would encourage anyone who has not tried the electronic cigarette to at least give it a shot. This is the real deal when it comes to smoking alternatives! Take my word for it, i used to smoke cigarettes before i got my hand on one of these ;) Vape on Brothas' & Sistas' http://appealingsmokes.com

[624JJ]

Listen, First of all you idiot, the person who stated that the ecigs are made in china is an idiot. Do your research before going on T V and making a statement like that. Yes most are, The ones you see in the malls the ones in the liquor stores, but not all of them. You have Volcano and they are out of Hawaii. My opinion is they are better then joy. I have tried them all and have researched them. If anyone is going to use an E Cig then get yourself and Valcano Inferno kit or a joy. the reason why I like the Valcano better is because there batteries last longer and their liquids are tested and sealed and say USA on them. With the joy liquids you can buy the liquid from anyone and have no idea what they are doing with it.

[twistecig]

Electronic cigarettes, or <a href="http://www.twistecig.com>electronic cigarettes</a>, are the newest thing to be aimed and sold to analog cigarette smokers. With the evolution of the e-cigarette possibly one day there will no longer be smokers of analog cigarettes.

http://www.twistecig.com

[deebre]

My Father's doctor recommended that we buy an e-cig for my father. He was a heavy smoker for years and in the end had an aggressive case of demensia. He was able to successfully switch from the hard cigar cigs to the e-cig without missing a beat. I was given a script for Nicotrol inhalers (little tube with a nicotine cartridge) from my doctor. Those things did nothing for me and I went back to smoking. I tried the Smokebot and the healthy e-cig and both ran out of a charge in an hour so they were not practical, although I did like them. I finally broke down and ordered and EGO-T because the site indicated they tend to last many hours before needing a recharge and WOW what a difference. I like it better than a regular cig! For those of you that are indicating that we shouldn't use these things, do you realize the doctors hand out scripts for exactly the same thing minus the vapor. Do you also realize the vabor is food grade - you ingest the same thing in your food! I will happily vape rather than smoke and get thousands less chemicals daily and not subject my children to the harmful effects of smoking! For those of you who quit smoking cold turkey - cudos to you because you have done something I cannot do! I can honestly say that cold turkey is an ugly event in my household, and that miracle drug Chantix -- yeah never again!

[ecigsmoker1]

@LilyDL. You are mistaken. There are no FDA approved facilities for e-cigs or nicotine solutions. The FDA conducted a somewhat questionable study into their safety and are currently in opposition to them. A copy of this study as well as an industry sponsored safety study and finally a study completed by Boston University's Public Health department can be found at http://e-cigsmoker.com

@greatshebear Weight gain here too after stopping. I stopped with the use of an electronic cigarette (thinking that I would keep the weight off) but the weight came anyway! Leads me to believe that nicotine isn't the weight reduction agent in cigarettes and that it is likely one of the other chemicals in there.

All this said, it has been a year on e-cigs for me. haven't touched a tobacco cigarette in that time. I feel better and have no regrets about making the switch

[LilyDL]

i am not 100% sure but I think the only two companies with fda approved facilities are prosmoke electronic cigarettes (www. prosmokestore.com) and johnson creek (www.johnsoncreeksmokejuice.com) which only sells ejuices.

[greatshebear]

I am so grateful that I didn't purchase one. I quit smoking cold turkey over a year ago and never looked back. I've gained some weight and I was thinking wouldn't it be nice to buy an electric cigarette as I was working on losing those extra pounds that I put on since I've quit smoking. I don't miss smoking just the fact that I've moved on to over eating.

[clearhead7]

There are several thing's I don't like about the E Eig. One is the taste, and my tongue being brown. The charger is a pain, especially when you need a hit of nicotine. The cost here at 7-11, the only place I could find them is way too high, 20 bucks for the starter and 15 for refill kits. But I will say that it did make it easier to quit those nasty horrible cigarettes! However, hey, your still addicted to nicotine guys! Now you have to taper off the E-Cig, if that's your goal. Nicotine causes all kinds of health problems too.

[moonswamp]

I love my electronic cigarette. I purchased it about 3 months ago and have become completely free from tobacco. It satisfies my nicotine cravings and the physical addiction I have to actually smoking.
http://www.ecigator.com