Source: www.rwjf.org/publichealth
Author: staff

A preliminary analysis by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that electronic cigarettes contain traces of toxic substances and carcinogens, contradicting manufacturers’ claims that the products are safe alternatives to tobacco, the New York Times reports.

According to manufacturers, the battery-powered devices, which produce a vapor that users inhale, contain little more than water, nicotine and propylene glycol, which is used in theatrical performances to create artificial smoke. However, an FDA analysis of the ingredients in two leading brands of electronic cigarettes found that some had detectable levels of nitrosamines, tobacco-specific compounds known to cause cancer. In addition, one Smoking Everywhere cartridge contained diethlyene glycol, a common ingredient in antifreeze that contributed to the death of hundreds of individuals worldwide after it was incorrectly used as a substitute for glycerin in toothpaste.

According to the FDA’s principal commissioner, the effect of inhaling diethlyene glycol and other carcinogens through electronic cigarettes on the human body remains unknown. The study also highlighted several quality control issues with the electronic cigarettes, which are manufactured in China. For example, nicotine levels varied among cartridges with labels that claimed to contain identical amounts of nicotine, and some cartridges claiming to be nicotine free did contain nicotine. Calling the products drug delivery devices, the FDA says electronic cigarettes should not be allowed in the United States and has rejected approximately 50 shipments at the border since summer 2008. However, vendors in malls nationwide and online continue to sell electronic cigarettes, which are offered in flavors such as cherry and bubble gum, raising concern among public health officials that the products may be attractive to young children.

Although the FDA has not specified whether it will ban electronic cigarettes, it recommends that health care professionals and consumers report serious side effects or product quality problems to the agency’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program. Commenting on the study, the Electronic Cigarette Association says the FDA’s testing was too “narrow to reach any valid and reliable conclusions,” adding that its members only sell and market their products to adults (Zezima, New York Times, 7/23/09; CNN.com, 7/22/09; Washington Post, 7/23/09).