Chinese "E-Cigs" Get Attention, Scrutiny

Atomizer Creates A Smoke-Free Nicotine Mist; Not A Safer Alternative, Health Officials Say

(CBS/AP) 
Miu Nam, Ruyan's executive director, blames the newspaper for a hit in sales and profits but declined to give details.

"We have to restore consumers' confidence, we have to clean up people's doubts," Miu said.

An operator at the Beijing Times refused to transfer calls seeking comment Friday to managers at the newspaper. A reporter said she had heard of the case but would not give any details.

Some international experts back Ruyan's claims its product is safe.

David Sweanor, an adjunct law professor at Ottawa University and former legal counsel of the Non Smokers Rights Association in Canada, said e-cigs have the potential to save lives.

With smoking, "it's the delivery system that's killing people," Sweanor said. "Anytime you suck smoke into your lungs you're going to do yourself a great deal of damage. Nicotine has some slight risks but they are minor compared to the risk of smoke in cigarettes."

Dr. Murray Laugesen, a New Zealand physician involved in tobacco control for 25 years who was commissioned by Ruyan to test its e-cigs, said he found "very little wrong" with them.

"It looks more like a cigarette and feels more like a cigarette than any other device so far and yet it does not cause the harm," he said. "It's the best substitute so far invented for tobacco cigarettes."

In the U.S, both Philip Morris USA and RJ Reynolds have introduced cigarettes that did not burn tobacco, but the technologies were very different from the e-cigarette. Neither has been successful.

In 2006, Philip Morris USA, test-marketed the Accord, which used a heating unit activated by puffing. RJ Reynolds introduced its cigarette, the Premier, in 1987 and still sells the Eclipse, which heats the tobacco rather than burning it. Sales are "not great," said spokesman David Howard.

Li Honglei, a fast-talking 28-year-old public relations manager in Beijing, has been smoking since he was in his teens and desperately wants to quit. He thinks he may have found his answer in Ruyan.

"I was intrigued by this new technology," said the pudgy, bespectacled Li as he surveyed products displayed in glass cases at Ruyan's brightly-lit shop in the capital. "I heard acupuncture is effective as well, but this method sounds more painless."

[pafoo1]

I have been smoking 14 years and I purchased an e-cig to give it a shot. Since ive had it I havent even touched my normal smokes and no longer have a desire too. My breathing is already feeling great! The only thing I did was buy some of the nicotine "juice" from an American vendor so I can trust its contents compared to the pre-shiped and filled cart's.

I honestly hope in the future it can be regulated to actually ensure that it is always a healthy alternative to quit smoking tobacco. If taxed it can still generate the same income to to government but will cost ALOT less medically from the #1 cause of deaths in America.

[martublade]

http://niconotnow.blogspot.com/

[LOL_AT_CBS]

>>Dr. Jonathan Whiteson of New York University's Cardiac and Pulmonary Wellness and Rehabilitation Program told CBS' The Early Show Friday..... "My biggest concern is these things are marketed to younger people, to adolescents."<<

MY biggest concern is that Whiteson is a medical professional telling falsehoods on national television. "These things" are marketed to adult cigarette smokers and I've yet to see otherwise. Non-smoking children spending the quoted "$60-$240" on a cigarette? I'm surprised he could say it with a straight face. Maybe his concern should be his patients with breathing problems who aren't able to stop smoking and the fact that this product may save their lives.

[rf35]

If the FDA truly desires to end smoking, then this product will be approved in short order. If they simply give it lip service as they enjoy the tobacco tax cash cow and kickbacks they get from nicotine replacement drugs, all the while secretly hoping more people start smoking, then they will ban the product in America.

[BabyBenks]

www.smokestikusa.com is a great site that sells electronic cigarettes. They claim their product is made here in the US at pharmaceudical labs and therefore we can rest assured there is no additional chemicals other than nicotine and glycol. Their product is quite reasonable. 69.99 I think and if you enter a coupon code - bybybutts - you get an additional $10 off the starter kit as well as refill cartridges.

[weatherhells]

fabrat1: My bet's on ignorance: It's not because of a smell that she's fanning it away; it's because she thinks the vapor is harmful to her health. It's no more harmful to her health, however, than going to a concert where a fog machine is used.

Seriously, these things have little to no smell. My husband can tell when I'm using the "coffee" flavor from a particular manufacturer (he says it smells like sweet coffee), but he doesn't smell anything when I use other flavors.

[fundu2009]

$240 what!!!! damn do you know how many packs of cigarreters you can buy with that...

[aka_KJB]

I'm a little torn on this one. In the end, I'm going to fall on the side of personal responsibility and say that, if it doesn't create second hand smoke that's going to kill ME in addition to the person that made the decision to take the nicotine, then go for it. Yes, getting people to kick the nicotine addiction would be best but some people just don't want to do that. And they shouldn't have to. Now how long before some enterprising entrepreneur comes up with a way to use this for atomizing marijuana? And if they make it totally smokeless, how will anybody know?

[fabrat1]

Someone commented that these things are pretty much odorless. If that's the case then can you tell me why when Harry was smoking it Julie started fanning the air and told him it stunk??? I saw that on the early show. She made it appear that the smell is as unpleasant as a regular cigarette.

[juthaji]

i bet new product is on the way...
someone will smoke for us. off course there will be a charge.
i think we as a consumer are as guilty as the marketers.

[weatherhells]

debinok1: The best answers to your questions can be found at www.e-cigarette-forum.com

[debinok1]

Weather? I am actually looking into this product, but have a few questions. How long does the atomizer, battery etc... last? this is not a cheap product and neither are the replacement parts. Is this a break even thing where I will be spending as much on the parts as I would be on cigarettes?

[debinok1]

It's the biggest dating site for wealthy and suclessful people.
Posted by roselighyw

suclessful? Perhaps before advertising for this website, you should run the ad through spell check.

[weatherhells]

peacefulperson: "Ideally, kicking the nic habit would be better..."

I did kick the nic habit, and I immensely enjoy using my electronic cigarette with 0 nicotine liquid. There's more to smoking than the physiological addiction to nicotine.

[debinok1]

Ideally, kicking the nic habit would be better...
Posted by peacefulperson


As would kicking the Caffiene habit, the Sugar habit, the Alcohol habit. Some people simply do not want to give up what they enjoy. If you enjoy a cup of coffee or a bar of chocolate, you have that right. If I choose to enjoy a cigarette that is safer by far for me and has no risk at all for the people around me then I should have that right as well. This cigarette gives smokers the option to do that.

[peacefulperson]

I saw these electronic cigs at a truck stop in Indiana last week. They weren't cheap, but there was a huge display touting them as a safe way circumvent the laws against smoking in public places.

I guess if it means the "smoker" is just poisoning him/herself and not killing those around them with second-hand smoke, it's better than cigarettes.

Ideally, kicking the nic habit would be better...

[LaceyUnderall]

For those who are interested in the electronic cigarette, or those who wish to consider attacking it, there is further information you might want to consider. First and foremost, many smokers who have changed their brand to the electronic cigarette, have gone from 2-3 pack a day smokers for 10-40 years to zero cigarettes in a day. Isn't that fantastic? I think so.

Also, there is no second hand smoke and the vapor is so light that if someone was smoking an electronic cigarette around you and being discreet, you would have absolutely no idea. People smoke these on airplanes and they are going unnoticed. Why? Because the vapor is essentially odorless and does not linger like tobacco smoke.

If the argument for a healthier public is truly tobacco harm reduction, then the e-cig is a step in the right direction. The only thing that is left from a tobacco cigarette is the nicotine. If you are a nicotine prohibitionist, then it is understandable that you would not like this product. However, nicotine by itself is really no more harmful than caffeine. So be aware that once you start a fight on nicotine by itself, we will not only lose all of the FDA approved nicotine devices, but a war will be waged on caffeine next. OH MY! No smokes and no coffee? What kind of society is that?!?

Finally, let's talk about China. Seriously? What about the American company who withheld the fact that they tested positive for salmonella 12 times in two years and still shipped out their tainted peanut butter anyways? I find that as bad as the Chinese who put melamine in the milk. At least they fessed up to it, found guilty and given a death sentence. It isn't China that does bad things, it is bad people. If you really want to stop doing business with China, then head to your backyard, cut yourselves some branches, and build yourself a hut, cause about 90 % of what is in your home from electronic gadgets to the nuts and bolts that hold your house together originate in countries like China.

If you are interested in further educating yourself on the e-cig, please visit www.e-cig.org. There are links to studies that have been done. You might not be a smoker, but you might know one and if you love them, anything that offers Tobacco Harm Reduction is the way to go.

[Slrman]

cneron, as soon as you are able to think and recognize facts, maybe you will make a sensible comment. Smoking around those who object is assault with a deadly weapon. I shall always defend myself against assault.

[Slrman]

Are these people saying that nicotine is not harmful? And the nicotine spread by the "atomizer" is not like second-hand smoke? Isn't it amazing how people can ignore even the most obvious facts when it is convenient and makes the "feel good".

Anyone lighting up around me, even one of these things will be asked - once - politely to stop. After that, their cigarette, electronic or not, will be up their nose, lit end first.

[fjsutton]

Sirman,
Who do you think you are? The cigarette Nazi? Your rights do not supersede my rights. Get the facts before you spout off on something you know nothing about.

[n2o3ell]

I question the safety of the " The Ruyan V8, which produces a nicotine-infused mist absorbed directly into the lungs " because as quoted from above a MIST is being INFUSED DIRECTLY INTO your LUNGS. This is a RED FLAG you might want to check into if you are considering using this. If I really needed nicotine I'd rather use lozenges or gum which are NOT directly INHALED into the LUNGS. The health of my lungs is nothing I would want to mess around/take any chances with.