Before you take a long drag....
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| Figure 1: An electronic cigarette (E-cig) (8) |
MedPage Today, a source for primary care providers and other
healthcare officials, recently posted an article outlining an increase in the number of E-cig exposure cases(1) as indicated in the April 4th CDC MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the Centers for Disease Control) (2). This MMWR field note shows that while the number of exposure cases due to traditional cigarettes has remained steady, if not fallen slightly, over the last few years the number of cases due to E-cigs has steadily increased (See Fig. 2). The majority of these calls concerning E-cigs (58%) was due to adverse health side effects, and there was even one case of suicide using the nicotine of an E-cig refill (1,2). Most of these calls from healthcare facilities concerned E-cig exposure to minors. Currently, the FDA does not regulate E-cigs, their devices, or their refills (even though these refills contain nicotine as well as other harmful chemicals). Many states also do not regulate E-cigs to minors like they do conventional cigarettes even though E-cig companies offer "flavored" E-cig refills, including bubble gum(3).
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| Figure 1: Rise in the number of E-cigarette poisonings according to the CDC MMWR (Please note their typo...the 2nd 2012 should be 2013 in the x-axis) (2). |
E-cigarettes do not emit cigarette smoke since they do not burn; they emit water vapor. However, they still contain nicotine. They also do not usually 'smell'(4). The nicotine that they do contain, which is why smokers like to use them, is highly toxic. It has a mammalian oral LD50 of 50 mg/kg and an NFPA Health Rating of 4 (5,6). It should be noted that nicotine does not have to be either inhaled or taken orally; it can be absorbed through the skin, which means that potentially handling the nicotine E-cig refills can be dangerous, especially for small children.
The good news is that the FDA has announced that it is proposing an E-cig rule in the near future(7). Hopefully, this will happen as soon as possible and will include FDA regulations on the availability of E-cigs to minors.
The article on the MedPage Today website can be found below:
E-Cig Poisoning on the Rise
References
1. Phend C, Writer SS, Today M. E-Cig Poisoning on the Rise. 2014. Available at: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Smoking/45124. Accessed April 7, 2014.
2. Notes from the Field: Calls to Poison Centers for Exposures to Electronic Cigarettes — United States, September 2010–February 2014; MMWR; April 4, 2014 / 63(13);292-293.
3. http://www.myfreedomsmokes.com/e-liquid/exotic-flavors/bubble-gum-e-liquid/
4. http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/electronic-cigarettes
5. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750028.html
6. http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/MSDS/MSDS/DisplayMSDSPage.do?country=US&language=en&productNumber=N3876&brand=SIGMA&PageToGoToURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sigmaaldrich.com%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fsigma%2Fn3876%3Flang%3Den
7. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/03/us-fda-ecigarettes-idUSBREA321SC20140403
8. http://danger.e-cigarette-electronique.com/files/2011/02/cigarette-electronique.jpg
This was a very interesting article to read because of how media has made E-cigs seem harmless and a better subsitute for regular cigerettes. It really hits close to home because of how many people I known who use E-cigerettes. It is also very hard to swallow that fact that electric cigerettes are not FDA regulated and children have readily access to them. Because E-cogs contain nicotine with higher toxins which make them have higher health risks than the regular cigerette. It was astonishing to see the figures associated with number of health realted calls of E-cigs as compared to regular cigerettes; E-cigs are responsible for nearly 42% of cigerette-related calls. That is a higher percentage considering that electric cigerettes are markerted as less harmful than regular cigerettes.
ReplyDeleteI was really startled that calls to poison control centers related to the e-cigarettes increased by 200 fold in just 4 years. Equally disturbing, exposure to e-cigarettes by children under the age of 5 make up the majority of the calls to poison control centers. E-cigarette are not as heavily regulated by the FDA which puts children at risk. The most dangerous part of e-cigarettes is the liquid nicotine refills. These refills come in child friendly flavors, such as bubblegum, and are not tightly regulated by the FDA. This means that these refills are not required to be childproof or have warning labels unlike other toxic house-hold products. E-cigarettes themselves are dangerous and even have the potential to explode when charging. I have posted the link below to a video of this occurring that is on the BBC website. Many people also claim that they use e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking conventional cigarettes. However, a recent study showed that people who used e-cigarettes were significantly less likely to quit smoking conventional cigarettes than non-users. Another reason people often turn to e-cigarettes is because they are “healthier” than smoking conventional cigarettes. However, a recent study indicates that e-cigarette vapor affects the bronchi in the lungs in a manner very similar to tobacco smoke. A group of researchers found that e-cigarette vapor altered gene expression in human bronchial cells in a similar pattern to tobacco smoke. With all this information about the potential danger and negative effects of e-cigarettes, the FDA needs to make tightly regulating e-cigarettes an immediate priority.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26958397
https://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1846627
http://www.nature.com/news/e-cigarettes-affect-cells-1.15015
The release of the electronic cigarette has caused many people to shift their perspective on smoking. For so many years, the reason smoking has been so heavily frowned upon has been because of the effects of smoke and second-hand smoke on both the smoker and those in close proximity to the smoker. However, when companies can take the (seemingly) only bad part of smoking out of smoking, what could possibly be wrong with it? Well that would be where most people are so very wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that there is a "safer", "healthier" or even easier to acquire alternative to a dangerous addiction always seems way to good to be true. Consequently, It really doesn’t surprise me that the incidence of poisoning due to electronic cigarettes has increased so drastically. The problem here is that people are much less responsible when they think they have already made a good decision. By switching to what is being advertised as “safer” because there is no smoke entering the lungs, they may think that they have done something to be proud of. However, since the toxicity of the nicotine is higher it can actually be more dangerous. Smoke causes damage to the lungs and respiratory tract over time, but nicotine causes damage to the brain. If they continue to smoke the same amount they did before they switched to electronic cigarettes the results can be detrimental. It is a lose-lose situation for smokers everywhere. It is, in my personal opinion, unethical to call it a healthier version of smoking when there are such serious consequences. The smoke may not take them down, but the nicotine still can and will.
Media has been blessed with the curse of spinning negative subject matter in a flattering light. The article presented by the MMWR, embodies this truth flawlessly. Recent media portrays traditional cigarettes as the greater of two evils, but the battle raging between the next generation cigarettes and traditional methods is fought for not. With both sides fighting with the same Goliath, Nicotine, the war will never cease. E-Cigs have been painted in a positive light as the pungent odor and need for a "light" have ceased, a "safer" water vapor has taken their place. However, the harmful effects of Nicotine are ever present. It's addictive quality has kept consumers running back to the shelves in order to receive an hourly dose of it's affects. Respiratory systems continue to see negative outcomes as a direct result of cigarette use. We must not be blind to the negative consequences. E-Cigarettes are but a wolf in sheep's clothing.
ReplyDeleteThe advent of E-cigarettes marks a major turning point for the tobacco industry. Cigarette companies suffered major losses in the 1960’s and 70’s when intensified research revealed that cigarettes are a serious health concern and exhibit lethally carcinogenic effects. In fact, the federally-funded research campaign was so thoroughly devastating that President Nixon signed a bill for the banning of cigarette ads from television and radio stations. The introduction of the E-cigarette advertising was followed by heavy advertising, leading consumers to believe that E-cigarettes were a harmless alternative to traditional (dangerous) cigarettes. With the rising death toll from Increased use led to a rising poisoning (and related death) rates from 2010 to 2014. It’s shocking to me that the FDA (till recently) has done nothing to regulate this dangerous product. Nicotene is classified as a somewhat neurotoxic substance (especially to younger children) and is easily absorbed through the skin.
ReplyDeleteAs recently as this summer, the World Health Organization strongly warned individuals to refrain from smoking E-cigarettes until a conclusive study is produced to show they are harmless. Research on E-cigarettes is absolutely essential, since it represents a health threat that is not very well understood. This is a pertinent issue because individuals are being blatantly misled to believe these products are harmless when experience proves otherwise.
I have been trying to convince my mother and brother for years to quit smoking. When these e-cigs came out I thought it would be an easy way for them to ease themselves off this harmful (and costly) habit. However the flood of new research stated in these articles shows otherwise. I think it is foolish of the FDA to not halt this loop hole in the tobacco industry. This is certainly a way to get children addicted to this dangerous product while advertising how less dangerous it is. I mean, they made bubble gum flavor for crying out loud!
ReplyDeleteAnother related topic is the popularization of hookah use. Just like e-cigs and cigars, many believe that the hookah is not as dangerous as the ciggarette, but they are WRONG. Actually, from the way a hookah is used, smokers may absorb more of the toxic substances found in cigarette smoke than people who smoke cigarette. "An hour-long hookah smoking session involves 200 puffs, while smoking an average cigarette involves 20 puffs. The amount of smoke inhaled during a typical hookah session is about 90,000 milliliters (ml), compared with 500–600 ml inhaled when smoking a cigarette." (http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/hookahs/)
Therefore, cavea emptor (buyer beware) and just say no!
This was a very interesting and eye opening article for me. I, just like many other Americans, was led to believe that E-cigs were a much safer alternative than regular cigarettes. I believed that they were a great way for a chronic smoker to slowly stop there bad habits. Little did I know that cigarettes companies and specially media has led me to believe exactly what they wanted. It is very sad that these companies are purposefully deceiving people and the FDA and our government in general is not doing anything about it. It’s amazing the number of studies that have been done on E-cigs that suggest it is as bad if not worse than regular cigarettes. The fact that children can be affected by it is very sad. I know it’s hard to keep this product from kids, when the parents are smokers, but there should be a very clear warning that shows what it does to kids to make parents aware of it. From my experience, most people don’t really know how or to what extent cigarettes affect their health. If E-cigs are being promoted as the "better product", then the effects are going to be worse than the cigarettes themselves. I think cigarettes companies should have to be honest about E-cigs when they are advertising them, instead of misleading people by making people think that they are free from the side effects.
ReplyDeleteTo say E-Cigs are harmless is in fact false. They are harmful to the smoker, but also to younger family members as well. It was mentioned that simply touching the nicotine refills could transfer the substance through the epithelial layers to the child's system. It would be interesting to compare the transfer of nicotine via skin against secondhand smoking. Results from that analysis could determine that E-Cigs overall are more dangerous to society as a whole. While these cigarettes are less pungent in odor, the same chemical composition is found withing the casing. Addictive and toxic chemicals still compose the cigarette. With a decrease in regular cigarettes and an increase in electronic cigarettes rising, it will be interesting to see the overall changes in the health of smokers making the transition.
ReplyDeleteI honestly never even gave thought to nicotine being absorbed through the skin. I fell like that just makes it ten times worse. My sister is a smoker and when the e-cigs came out she gave it a try, but she ended up just going back to regular cigarettes. E-cigs need to have regulation but that may take longer until more research is provided on the subject. It's sad to say, but I see so many kids, which I know are underage smoking these e-cigs just added to the other dozen reasons why they need regulation.
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ReplyDeleteThis article filled a gap that I have subconsciously maintained since the rise in popularity of the E-Cigs. For one, I was not aware that they contained nicotine. Secondly, I did not realize they do not have FDA regulations, although they definitely should have regulations…which leads to my third point…why are kids given access to such things?!?! I understand if the child sneaks it around to try it, but that situation would not account for approximately half of the calls the CDC receives! It frustrates me, honestly – especially learning the potential dangers that can arise through many opportunistic avenues (not only smoking, but even by simply coming into contact with the chemicals).
ReplyDeleteThis is more evidence that Nicotine through a regular cigarette or E-cigarette is still dangerous. Trying to find a way that we get the same feel as a regular but no affect is not around in this world right now. There some positive to E-cig but just reading through this you can see there is also a lot negatives with it. Were never going to ban smoking in the untied states Just because it bad because if that was the case alcohol and every fast food place would be closed. But obviously more regulation and finding ways to make it as safe as possible for everyone is needed.
ReplyDeleteThey usually say that ignorance is a bliss, but in this case the lack of knowledge on E-cigs makes you more vulnerable. E- cigarettes form part of the electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) according to the American Lung Association. (1) The fact is that because the FDA does not regulate this kind of product there is no way to completely know what chemicals are contained in e-liquids, or how e-cigarette use might affect health, whether in the short term or in the long run. Large doses of nicotine have a potential for poisoning, with symptoms beginning with nausea and vomiting in cases of acute toxicity and progressing to seizures and respiratory depression in cases of severe nicotine poisoning. The CDC study discovered that more than half of the calls to poison centers due to e-cigarettes involved young children under age 5, and about 42 percent of the poison calls involved people age 20 and older. According to Tim McAfeen (Director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health), the most recent National Youth Tobacco Survey showed e-cigarette use is growing fast, and now this report shows e-cigarette related poisonings are also increasing rapidly. (2) This only proves that e- cigarettes should be concern specially when its target is children and teenagers. The fact that nothing is being done about this is very peculiar noticing the effect of e-cigarettes. Creating a conscious of the effects of using of e- cigarettes can save the life of someone. When we are given knowledge we must shared it, even when it is controversial and might not be what people want to hear.
ReplyDelete1.http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html
2.http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0403-e-cigarette-poison.html
My understanding of e-cigs has always been a little cloudy, however this article has actually helped me understand how dangerous these e-cigs are. When I was in high school I was part of the SWAT club which is students working against tobacco and I remember a speaker explaining the concept of e-cigs and how there are no age laws on them because they are not technically "cigarettes." Therefore young adults are able to have access to these harmful items. It was new information to me that there are no FDA regulations on e-cigs which is very concerning. Many people including myself for a brief amount of time think that e-cigs are not harmful to the smoker and especially to any surrounding people. This is actually false, e-cigs are very harmful and have terrible side effects. I think that our society is under-educated on this subject and it needs to be brought to the attention of many people especially parents of the children who have started this habit.
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting to me that E-cigs as an alternative are still as dangerous in many ways as the original cigarettes which they were supposed to replace. One thing of particular interest to me is the fact that the FDA has not yet regulated them. Also sociologically speaking I find it interesting that it seems that like cigarettes E-cigs have also taken upon the social definition or implication that using them, and those who are using them, are "cool" many people who smoke are addicted to nicotine. However, many people who first start to smoke and who have become addicted to the nicotine initially smoked for social reasons. The physical risk parallels as well as the initial reasons for usage being social in both types of cigarettes I find interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis article is still relevant two years later because the rates of e-cig use have continued to increase without any data concerning whether or not they are actually better for you than traditional cigarettes. I find it particularly interesting that the statistics show an increase in e-cig use while the use of traditional cigarettes has remained relatively constant, which indicates that the intended purpose is not being fulfilled. It appears that e-cigs are not appealing the traditional smokers to help them quit, rather it has created an entirely new population that never smoked traditionally but now use e-cigs. The media seems to portray them as harmless, but there is no denying that they still contain nicotine and must have some negative side effects. This article certainly urges others to be more cautious about their use of e-cigs and the repercussions around them.
ReplyDeleteI find it concerning that tobacco and e-cig companies target minors for sales, knowing full well that their product is harmful. I think that this stresses the importance that information regarding the potential harmful nature of new products be disseminated widely and quickly. Equally concerning is the fact that traditional cigarette exposure has not decreased in response to the rising popularity of e-cigs. The supposedly "safer" e-cigs are only increasing exposure to harmful chemicals such as toxic nicotine and doing nothing to steer people away from tobacco. Since the publishing of this article it seems that the truth about the harmful nature of e-cigs has been more widely spread, but there are still many users of such vapor-smoking products.
ReplyDelete