
SUCK AGAIN -- HARDER, HARDER
New research on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) finds possible adverse effects on human health. It's not the first research to suggest damage to smokers of e-cigarettes, marketed as tobacco-free nicotine delivery systems. It's just the latest and shows that e-cigarettes may be less healthy than had previously been thought.
What exactly is the possible danger of e-cigarettes?
CAN WE PROFIT IF WE ADMIT TO CARCINOGENS?
Although manufacturers of the e-cigarettes (almost all of which are made in China) say that the devices "smoke" like a conventional cigarette, but contain none of the hazardous carcinogens found in a conventional cigarette, the FDA disagrees and warns of hazards.
Over a year ago, in July 2009, the Food and Drug Administration released an analysis of 19 varieties of electronic cigarettes that said half of them contained nitrosamines (the same carcinogen found in real cigarettes) and many contained diethylene glycol, the poisonous ingredient in antifreeze. (Read Ethic Soup post about FDA warning.)
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THEY?
Electronic-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular, but if you've been under a cloud of smoke, you may not know about them.
A recent Los Angeles Times description of e-cigarettes (which are gaining a lot of popularity) is: "They use a cartridge containing nicotine dissolved in a solvent, such as propylene glycol. When the user inhales through the device, it activates a battery that makes the tip glow red like a real cigarette and a small heater vaporizes some of the contents, which can then be inhaled."
STUDY SUGGESTS DANGERS
New research finds that e-cigarettes require stronger inhalation than conventional cigarettes, say researchers.
Reported last month in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the research was led by cell biologist Prue Talbot(pictured both above and below, right), University of California - Riverside, where she is also the director of the UCR Stem Cell Center (read 'real smart').