The FDA Vs. E-Cigs
The FDA VS. E-Cigs
The FDA has fresh jurisdiction over tobacco products and they are trying to parlay that control over the relatively new e-cigs, though they’re clearly not tobacco products.
E-cigarettes use a combination of an atomizer, battery and nicotine cartridge to create tobacco, tar and smoke free cigarette. The vapor (simulated smoke) that comes from an e-cig is generated by vaporizing a combination of nicotine and propylene glycol (usually found in fog machines.) The e-cig smoke inhales the vapor rather than carcinogenic tobacco smoke.
Though there’s no tobacco in e-cigs, that’s not stalling the FDA. They’ve recently stopped overseas shipments of e-cigarettes, components and accessories from coming into the United States. The FDA says they need to be regulated before they can be sold in the U.S.
U.S. companies manufacturing and selling E-Cigs, such as Blu Cigs, seem to be safe so far. You can get e-cigs online, over the phone and in kiosks in just about every mall in America.
What’s confusing is that the FDA has already approved nicotine in various quit smoking aids like patches, gums and inhalers. As for the propylene glycol, the FDA has stated:
“Propylene glycol is metabolized by animals and can be used as a carbohydrate source. Propylene glycol can be ingested over long periods of time and in substantial quantities (up to 5 percent of the total food intake) without causing frank toxic effects.”
Those using e-cigs whether it be to help quit smoking traditional cigarettes, to avoid tobacco taxes, or get around enormous indoor (and sometimes outdoor) smoking bans, will have to band together to let the administration know how they feel.
