Stop Smoking

The FDA has recently taken aim at Electronic Cigarettes by releasing a report stating they are wildly unhealthy. The full report has not been made available to the public but already the results have been shrouded in controversy. Some argue the smoking alternatives can’t possibly be worse than the FDA approved drug Chantix which has already proven itself to be a dangerous substance (people have become suicidal, over-aggressive, severely depressed, etc).

Quickly rising to the surface of the controversy is the concern that perhaps the FDA doesn’t have the general public’s health in mind as their primary focus. It seems that the FDA approved drugs are getting more negative attention as electronic cigarettes continue to gain ground as the safer smoking solution of choice. The largest portion of this fight is over why e-cigs are being targeted as a health risk instead of rightfully being compared to the existing health risks of tobacco cigarettes, or even other NRTs.

Many manufacturers of the e-cigarette point to a study conducted by Health New Zealand. Their study did not test for Diethylene Glycol which was one of the chemicals the FDA has drawn attention to in their findings. This isn’t outside the realm of reason since it is not on any of the manufacturers ingredients lists, nor is it a known carcinogen found in traditional cigarettes. According to the MSDS for Diethylene Glycol, it is known to cause lesions and other forms of damage to the kidneys and liver.

In the case of inhalation, the only first aid recommended is removal from the source to fresh air. Toxicalogical information for Diethylene Glycol shows that it is not a known carcinogen, nor is it expected to be found as one in the future. In addition, the dose required to kill half of the sample of rats tested is 12.565 g/kg and 11.89 g/kg for rabbits. Assuming this can be extended to humans, an average adult male would have to ingest 855.925 g to receive a lethal dose.

Is Diethylene Glycol the main ingredient in antifreeze? The EPA has this to say about antifreeze variations: “Antifreeze typically contains ethylene glycol as its active ingredient, but some manufacturers market propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is less toxic to humans and pets. The acute, or short-term, toxicity of propylene glycol, especially in humans, is substantially lower than that of ethylene glycol.”

Either way, no matter which ingredient is active in the suspension, the stigma of antifreeze being dangerous actually comes from the fact that it is often disposed of improperly. This is only important because during service and use of the product, heavy metals contaminate the fluid (particularly dangerous is the lead contained in the metals). Yes, straight antifreeze is toxic, but its active ingredient is Ethylene Glycol and the main hazard stems from the heavy metals absorbed in used, recycled, or improperly discarded antifreeze.

What about Nitrosamines? Nitrosamines are carcinogens. Tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are found in the liquid used by Ruyan in their cartridges. According to the Health New Zealand report, the amount increases with the amount of nicotine, and the average is 3.928 Ng (or parts per billion [ppb]).

The specific listing is as follows: Nitrosamines In Cartridges: 0mg ” 0.260 Ng (ppb), 6mg ” 3.068 Ng, 11mg ” 4.200 Ng, 16mg ” 8.183Ng. As indicated above, the cartridge with the highest nicotine volume contained the highest level of TSNAs. What is significant about this is that by comparison, the FDA approved NRT Nicorette Gum contains 8Ng (the same as that of the highest strength nicotine cartridge). Putting this number further in comparison, tobacco cigarettes contain approximately 1,230ppb TSNAs before burning, and moist snuff pulls in between 1,000 and 2,400ppb.

The FDA remained silent on equally yoking their findings, which begs the question of their integrity in their studies. Are they seeking to protect the public health, or prevent an unapproved NRT from taking shares from the pharmeceutics and Big Tobacco which they have just gained control over?

Finding the best electronic cigarette for you can be difficult. Get the facts from a trusted source before choosing any nicotine replacement therapy options.

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