Concerns Raised Over Use of Electronic Cigarettes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA) and health experts have joined to warn consumers about potential health risks associated with electronic cigarettes.

The potential health risks were addressed in a telephone conference held during July 2009, headed by FDA principal deputy commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., and Matthew McKenna, M.D., the director of the Office of Smoking and Health for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; Atlanta, GA, USA). During the phone conference, which was shared with the news media, the FDA announced findings from a laboratory analysis by the division of pharmaceutical analysis--part of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research--that analyzed the ingredients in a small sample of cartridges from two leading brands of e-cigarette samples. One sample was found to contain diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze; several other samples were found to contain several carcinogens, including nitrosamines. The report also warned of concerns about the marketability of e-cigarettes to young people and their potential danger as a "gateway" product to actual smoking.

The conference participants stressed the importance of parents being aware of the health and marketing concerns associated with e-cigarettes. It was stated that parents might want to tell their children and teenagers that these products are not safe to use. Of particular concern to parents is that e-cigarettes are sold without any legal age restrictions, and are available in different flavors (such as chocolate, strawberry, and mint), which may appeal to the young. In addition, the devices do not contain any health warnings comparable to FDA-approved nicotine replacement products or conventional cigarettes.

The FDA has been examining and detaining shipments of e-cigarettes at the U.S. border and the products it has examined thus far meet the definition of a combination drug-device product under the U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA has been challenged regarding its jurisdiction over certain e-cigarettes in a case currently pending in federal district court. The agency is also planning additional activities to address its concerns about these products.

"The FDA is concerned about the safety of these products and how they are marketed to the public,” said Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., FDA commissioner of food and drugs.

Electronic cigarettes (also known as "e-cigarettes") are battery-operated devices designed to look like and to be used in the same manner as conventional cigarettes. The devices generally contain cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals. They turn the nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user.


Related Links:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention