Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?

Battery Powered Cigarettes Give The Nicotine Kick Without The Tobacco, But Lack FDA Approval

(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.

[premiumecigs]

Try going to premium-ecigs.com. Great mini ecigarette at a great price.
Member of the ECA.

[wheatonview]

If you are interested in the starter kit, you can get it for less than $30.00 at: www.logiccash.com, or you can pay over $65.00 from www.ecigarettes4less.com. where they will make a profit of over $40.00, they are both made from the exact same place (China). shipping is cheaper too.

[wheatonview]

I would like to know the effects of the vapor and how it's made. however, The Doctor keeps saying that these are not approved by the FDA, I would like to know why the FDA approves real cigarettes with the 3,000 chemicals in tobacco. Is this to say that the FDA should be trusted if they are approving real cigarettes? Something to think about. btw, there is a site: www.ecigarettes4less.com, they make a $40.00 profit from each kit. shop around and buy them directly from China, which is where they come from. and buy the kit for $29.99, not the $69.99 with shipping from that site.

[elysianine]

I find it supremely disturbing that flavoring adult products with candy, fruity, sweet or mint flavors has turned into prima facie evidence of "marketing to children". If this is the case, why are such flavors still allowed in cigars, alcoholic beverages (both malt beverages and liquors), condoms, personal lubricants, etc? The likelihood of children using an e-cigarette as a "gateway" to smoking seems unlikely to me...most starter kits would be prohibitively expensive for children, must be purchased with a credit card online, and it is far, far easier to just swipe cigs from one's parents (isn't that how most kids start?) or to get an older sibling or friend to purchase cigarettes for them, than to go to the expense and hassle of obtaining and maintaining an electronic cigarette (batteries, atomizers, and cartridges/liquids). I really think that out of all the arguments being made against e-cigs, this argument bothers me the most.

[marlena405]

I have been using the e-cig and so has my husband. I can not see how it is worse then smoking tobacco cigs. I love the e cig! I can breath a lot better now I have more energy. I will never go back to tobacco!

[premiumecigarette]

Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?
Yes, Because of lots of benefits of that
- no tar, no tobacco
- conclude your intake of nicotine ? ideal to little by little reduce your smoking habit
- no yellow teeth or fingers, no smelly clothes, no second-hand smoke
- up to 75% cheaper than traditional smoking
- You can now smoke indoors safe and free from the smoking bans

Mainly its tastes, feels and looks like any other traditional cigarette.

[DC-TECh]

Ok I have been smoking since I was about 15
I have stopped a few times during High School.
But ever since then It has been harder due to all the excess chemicals the FDA allows and our CORRUPT USA GOVERNMENT Allows to be put into tobacco products.
you say china is corrupt?
Look at your US Government.
I AM A Bloody american and regret being associated with you people that think our country is not corrupt.
We no longer have rights or control due to you idiots.
nobody understands what they are voting on.
if you think you do. have you read the full bill? you do know its about 100 pages for each bill more or less.
you only get to see 1-10 paragraphs.

nicotine yes is deadly.
patches contain nicotine.
Many other things do also. including insecticides etc.

The president is already banning flavored Tobacco.
Which I cant complain about. I have been trying to stop smoking for many years. Not Easy. It was alot easier Stopping Meth Coke & Marijuana.
Yes I use to do drugs also. i stopped those easy. but tobacco is not easy.
Many of you thinking its simple to stop dont know what addiction is.
I have been researching these ecigs and After reading all this. I will be purchasing 1 within the next few days.

I Did not have craving for smoking when i was in philippines. but in the usa I constantly crave it...

Can you explain why?
I Can
They dont induce all there food products with chemicals like the USA Does.
look closely at your ingredients.
is organic always organic?

i dont mean to offend anyone but you need to realize the truth of the matter. and the facts in life.

Every country is equal in corruption problems and more.
why do we goto war?
Its not because of threats from other countries
its for financial gain & Control of the people in the USA..
Think Do your Research First.

Im done with this comment.
I dont care who knows who i am.
im just fed up with the idiots in the USA especially political.
if i could afford to leave the country i would give up my rights to be a citizen and leave.
especially if i could control and live as good there as i do here.

[zman24]

Well said man
I too, as well, am sick of the ignorance displayed by the American people
Most are arrogant, unaware, and think that they're the best and no one in the world is better

[Jerbs59]

e-cigarette on Cruise Ships

Just returned from a 12 day sailing in which I used my SmartSmokerUSA e-cigarette. The ship was smoke free with the exception of a small corner in the pool area. I was able to use the my SmartSmoker everywhere! The entire ship was amazed and the smokers were busy ordering their own SmartSmokerUSA e-cigarettes at every port stop (Internet Cafes). My husband and I were able to vape in our cabin, etc... What a difference it made for the trip! SmartSmokerUSA was so happy with the business that they have a special discount code for Cruise Ships. Use the discount code howard . I am not sure how long the code will be active. The Cruise Line's attitude is proof that the e-cigarette is gaining acceptance in spite of the attempts to stifle it!

P.S. I used my e-cigarette during the 8 hour flight home w/o incident. Nobody seemed to notice.

P.P.S. I have done a 360 on the possibility that the FDA will OK the e-cigarette. I belive they will see the light and will not ban them. The acting Director Dr. Sharfstein, a Baltimore resident and prior Health Comm. of Baltimore City is a forward thinking man. I believe he will do the right thing.

[Benz8275]

FDA take notice. This is a great analogy that deserves attention. How many devices, drugs, etc... were once banned only to be found OK?

I really think some people neeed to get a life. The nicotine vapor is created by heating the nicotine. Nicotine inhalers have been around a LONG time... I used one over 10 years ago.

Afraid that they are NOT safe? Uh huh... so cigarettes, with carcinogens and poisons ranging from arsenic to cyanide ARE safe?

Further I think the opnions here are contradictory. 'Afraid more kids will smoke' , 'There are more adolescent smokers than adult smokers'. Ok pinch me if I am missing something this demographic already exists and has nothing to do with the ecig.

One option the ecig gives you that conventional cigarettes do not if the choice to smoke something nicotine free.

So instead of giving an addicted population a safer alternative (which was done by the way wiith methadone (also addictive) for other addicts), lets just let smokers keep inhaling poisons as well as the new generation of smokers.. GMAB.. Who IS paying you folks?