Most people have read each side of the debate on the subject of ecigs. On one side, you'll find the proponents that believe they're safe to use and an efficient gadget for quitting smoking. On the other end of this debate are the opponents who say the electronic cigarette can be hazardous for the end user and they are worthless as a smoking cessation aid. However, as we all know, when there are two sides of a story the truth is usually someplace in the middle.
This e-cigarette controversy went viral in June of 2009 once the Food and Drug Administration publicized a study declaring they analyzed electronic cigarettes along with their associated product e liquid and determined them to be harmful as they contained chemical substances deemed to be harmful to humans. After the FDA released their study, the e-cig side fired back by hiring the prestigious technical analysis firm Exponent Engineering to examine the FDA analysis and the practices utilized to reach their conclusions. Exponent Engineering found the conclusions reached by the FDA investigation appeared to be unacceptable as the screening methods they applied in their study were far from those required to reach such scientific conclusions.
So currently, over a year later, what exactly have we learned about the safety involving electric cigarettes? Well, essentially nothing at all has changed. Both sides on the argument still declare success but ultimately, the e-cigarette buyer is still in the dark regarding whether the ecig is safe to use and reliable as a stop smoking device. Why don't we have a closer look at everything that we understand.
In the interest of brevity, I won't get into detail about how the e-cigarette functions or how it is used. It's quite simply a nicotine delivery product not unlike the MD prescribed Nicotrol inhaler. It operates by heating and vaporizing a combination of propylene glycol and pure nicotine (e-liquid) when the smoker takes a puff through the device. The Food and Drug Administration's key point of contention, established incorrect by Exponent Engineering, is that the nicotine containing solution they examined included toxic impurities. The argument concerning this aspect itself is actually not my issue. The most important thing to note here is that the FDA could have, be it intentional or not, discovered a very pertinent point. Why don't we look at this a little bit further.
In America, most anything we eat or drink is required to conform to criteria regulated by government organizations which assure our safety and health. We frequently come across products that were recalled by the producer because of the slightest noncompliance with the proper production steps. So let us check out e-liquid (nicotine mixture used in electric cigarettes) for a moment. Right now, you'll find basically no guidelines or polices in place regulating its production, who may manufacture it, how it is stored or even its shelf life. Generally speaking, you or I can go on the web, shop for e liquid components and start mixing it inside our garages with zero regulation whatsoever. For personal use, this will possibly appear acceptable. Although I don't know of any similar product designed for human inhalation that you may make for yourself let alone for mass consumption and advertise it for sale on the net. But still, this is precisely what a great many eliquid marketers are actually doing.
Please don't misunderstand me. I am far from implying that e liquid is in fact dangerous. I am stating there is a distinct probability that as a result of insufficient regulation, a contaminated eliquid may in theory end up in the hands of an e cig smoker. Now you may be wondering about the e liquid which is produced by the e cig manufacturers themselves? Here once more, we basically have a similar issue. Manufactured primarily in China, there's absolutely no regulation of any sort concerning how this eliquid is manufactured. In the end, it appears to be people purchasing e liquid should be thinking about that old adage caveat emptor or "Let the buyer beware".
This e-cigarette controversy went viral in June of 2009 once the Food and Drug Administration publicized a study declaring they analyzed electronic cigarettes along with their associated product e liquid and determined them to be harmful as they contained chemical substances deemed to be harmful to humans. After the FDA released their study, the e-cig side fired back by hiring the prestigious technical analysis firm Exponent Engineering to examine the FDA analysis and the practices utilized to reach their conclusions. Exponent Engineering found the conclusions reached by the FDA investigation appeared to be unacceptable as the screening methods they applied in their study were far from those required to reach such scientific conclusions.
So currently, over a year later, what exactly have we learned about the safety involving electric cigarettes? Well, essentially nothing at all has changed. Both sides on the argument still declare success but ultimately, the e-cigarette buyer is still in the dark regarding whether the ecig is safe to use and reliable as a stop smoking device. Why don't we have a closer look at everything that we understand.
In the interest of brevity, I won't get into detail about how the e-cigarette functions or how it is used. It's quite simply a nicotine delivery product not unlike the MD prescribed Nicotrol inhaler. It operates by heating and vaporizing a combination of propylene glycol and pure nicotine (e-liquid) when the smoker takes a puff through the device. The Food and Drug Administration's key point of contention, established incorrect by Exponent Engineering, is that the nicotine containing solution they examined included toxic impurities. The argument concerning this aspect itself is actually not my issue. The most important thing to note here is that the FDA could have, be it intentional or not, discovered a very pertinent point. Why don't we look at this a little bit further.
In America, most anything we eat or drink is required to conform to criteria regulated by government organizations which assure our safety and health. We frequently come across products that were recalled by the producer because of the slightest noncompliance with the proper production steps. So let us check out e-liquid (nicotine mixture used in electric cigarettes) for a moment. Right now, you'll find basically no guidelines or polices in place regulating its production, who may manufacture it, how it is stored or even its shelf life. Generally speaking, you or I can go on the web, shop for e liquid components and start mixing it inside our garages with zero regulation whatsoever. For personal use, this will possibly appear acceptable. Although I don't know of any similar product designed for human inhalation that you may make for yourself let alone for mass consumption and advertise it for sale on the net. But still, this is precisely what a great many eliquid marketers are actually doing.
Please don't misunderstand me. I am far from implying that e liquid is in fact dangerous. I am stating there is a distinct probability that as a result of insufficient regulation, a contaminated eliquid may in theory end up in the hands of an e cig smoker. Now you may be wondering about the e liquid which is produced by the e cig manufacturers themselves? Here once more, we basically have a similar issue. Manufactured primarily in China, there's absolutely no regulation of any sort concerning how this eliquid is manufactured. In the end, it appears to be people purchasing e liquid should be thinking about that old adage caveat emptor or "Let the buyer beware".
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