E-Cigarettes, Electronic Cigarettes and the FDA Ban

What is an e-cigarette?

An e-cigarette also known as an electronic cigarette is a battery powered device used as an alternative to smoking by traditional means such as: cigarettes, pipes or cigars. An e-cigarette works by delivering a dose of nicotine to the user by means of a propylene glycol / nicotine solution in the form of a vapour that is inhaled.

The vapour from an electronic cigarette is similar in taste to the smoke inhaled from a traditional cigarette or other tobacco product and induces the same physical reaction. Usually resembling a tubular construction not dissimilar to a pen the e-cigarette is marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional methods of smoking and as an aid to assist with giving up smoking.

The nicotine solution used within electronic cigarettes is also known as ‘e-Liquid’ and is predominantly made up of an organic substance known as ‘Propylene glycol’ (Propane-1,2-diol). Propylene glycol is a sweet colourless liquid that can be found in products such as: Moistuizer, toothpaste, mouth wash, food additives, fragrant oils, and antifreeze.

Other substances found within e-Liquid include: Glycerol, organic acid, tobacco essence and of course Nicotine itself. eLiquid is available in various concentrations from high doses to simulate the Nicotine levels of a regular cigarette, to lower dosage levels to assist with quitting smoking, or containing no Nicotine at all.

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes and the e-liquid they contain are available in a variety of different flavours, some designed to simulate traditional smoking methods such as tobacco or menthol flavour, other flavours available include: strawberry, orange, and vanilla, whilst yet more e-cigarette brands attempt to mimic the tastes of popular cigarette brands such as Marlboro and Camel.

FDA ban the electronic cigarette

The FDA Ban

Currently the e-cigarette is the subject of much debate, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing towards a ban of e-cigarettes based on the fact that e-cigarettes are not an approved method of quitting smoking such as Nicotine patches and gum are. The FDA has stated that: “We have detained and refused approval to several such products on the grounds that they were unapproved new drugs.” The World Health Organisation has also condemned the e-cigarette as being an illegitimate means of tobacco withdrawal therapy and has questioned the safety of e-cigarettes. This is despite the fact that the e-liquid used within e-cigarettes contains over 4000 less chemicals than standard cigarettes, and that all of the substances contained within e-liquid have individually been approved by the FDA.

Success stories posted by those who have used the e-cigarette as a means of quitting are numerous, with statements such as “After one day I went from smoking 1 ½ to 2 packs a day to not smoking at all" and “I quit after thirty years, with an electronic cigarette” being commonplace.

Talks of corruption within the FDA are widespread due to the fact that the e-cigarette is not a product developed by a large pharmaceutical group but was invented within China in 2004, and many are not happy about the FDA’s attempts to criminalize a product that has the potential to save millions of lives.