A recent study shows some differences in electronic cigarettes in terms of nicotine content and nicotine production. However the study does disprove an older study released about a year ago which stated that electronic cigarettes (smokeless cigs) do not produce a sufficient amount of nicotine to be absorbed (claiming the products were ineffective). Continue reading
Vermont legislation (H 747) to ban e-cigarette sales to minors and to ban use of cigarette rolling machines for commercial purposes amended and approved by Senate, House concurs with additional amendments
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H%2E0747&Session=2012
Arizona legislation (SB 1280) to ban e-cigarette sales to minors approved by Senate, sent to governor.
http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=SB1280&Session_ID=107
Kansas legislation (HB 2324) to ban e-cigarette sales to minors amended and approved by Senate, referrred to House for concurrence.
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/measures/hb2324/
http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/measures/documents/hb2324_02_0000.pdf
After MO ACS/AHA/ALA wisely urged removal of e-cigarette usage ban
Springfield (MO) City Council amends (with 9-0 vote) deceptive voter approved smoking ban to remove e-cigarette provision, and to exempt some facilities from the smoking ban.
The electronic cigarette hoped to provide a ray of light to smokers, as a highly effective smoking cessation tool, but the FDA is doing its best to keep these lifesavers out of smoker’s hands. In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration released information regarding the results of tests performed on 18 electronic cigarettes, provided by two different electronic cigarette brands.
E-cigarettes have become the subject of an increasing number of scientific studies as little research has been conducted on these innovative smoking cessation tools. Dr. Lynne Dawkins of East London University presented the results of a recent study that not only tested the effect e-cigarettes have on moods and cravings, but also their effects on the short term memory loss problems associated with smoking cessation. The results of this study are quite fascinating.
This study, which was presented at the April 2012 British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference, used 85 regular smokers as the test subjects. The smokers were each given an e-cigarette; some of the cigarettes contained nicotine, some were placebo cigarettes without any nicotine. The smokers were then asked to smoke the e-cigarettes as much as they would like for five minutes. A control group of smokers simply held the electric cigarettes without smoking them. Continue reading
The percentage of military personnel that smoke tobacco cigarettes is much higher than the percentage of civilian smokers. This is most likely because cigarettes are used as a stress release for their high-pressure careers. Due to the many known health risks associated with tobacco cigarettes, the US Air Force hopes to improve the health of their personnel by banning all tobacco products at their facilities. Unfortunately, they have also banned the product that could potentially help the military personnel quit smoking completely: e-cigs.
In a recent Air Force Instruction, the organization stated that tobacco use is the leading cause of death, when more specifically it is cigarette smoking that is the leading cause of death. The AFI states “tobacco use damages personal health and detracts from unit mission readiness.” This statement is quite true, but why include electronic cigarettes under the umbrella of “tobacco products”? Continue reading
The electronic cigarette is one of the most innovative and extraordinary smoking cessation products that have been introduced to the market. They allow smokers to switch to an alternative source of nicotine that allows them to have the tactile experience of smoking without all of the harmful toxic chemicals, tar, and gases associated with real cigarettes. Many smokers use them to quit smoking all together, and this product could potentially save millions of lives each year. Why then, is the UK government trying so harsh on electronic cigarettes?
The UK government has shown concerns regarding the “safety” of electronic cigarettes. The problem is that there have not been tight regulations placed on electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are not technically a tobacco product, and they are not medical devices, so they are not subject to the same strict regulations required by those industries. That does not mean that they have not been the subjects of testing and quality control procedures. Continue reading
On July first a ban will take effect for the entire state of Indiana that will ban cigarette smoking in most public places, excluding certain businesses such as bars and gaming facilities. The city of Indianapolis wishes to take this ban further in their city by making it more comprehensive in order to ban smoking in bars, gaming facilities, and increase the restrictions placed on private clubs. It is admirable that the city of Indianapolis wishes to protect its citizens from second hand smoke, but the ban takes a step backward by also banning the use of electronic cigarettes.
Unfortunately, due to some misleading claims and partial truths that have been released regarding electronic cigarettes, many people have been deluded to believe the e-cigarettes also produce harmful second hand smoke. In reality, the vapor that is released by an electronic cigarette contains water and trace amounts of nicotine. Depending upon the electronic cigarette, the amount of nicotine in the vapors is, at most, one-third of the amount of nicotine found in cigarette smoke. The e-cigarette vapor that is exhaled, or “second hand vapor”, lacks all of the hundreds of harmful chemicals and toxins found in cigarette smoke.
Electronic cigarettes are skyrocketing in popularity, and part of that popularity could be due in part to their wide celebrity publicity they have received. There are many reasons that celebrities make the switch to electronic cigarettes: they have had trouble quitting cigarettes without the help, they want to set a good example for their fans, they want to improve their public image, or the obvious answer, they are genuinely worried about their own health and the health of those around them.
Many celebrities like to use their influence and power to set examples that will help others, therefore it is no surprise that they would promote the use of electronic cigarettes. Tobacco cigarettes are responsible for the deaths of millions each year, so it is imperative that smokers find safe alternatives, like the e-cigarette.
Celebrities such as Katherine Heigl, Johnny Depp, and Leonardo DiCaprio have done their part to spread the word by using electronic cigarettes while on film sets, while appearing on talk shows, and by actually using them on the stage or in their films. Katherine Heigl
In April 2011, the Birmingham City Council in Alabama voted unanimously to pass a smoking ban that will prohibit cigarette smoking in all public areas, including all restaurants and bars. The ban most likely passed so easily because it had the strong support of doctors and other health professionals in the town. The bill takes a hard stance against second hand smoke in public areas, but does include amendments for specific businesses and electronic cigarettes.
While the bill was supported strongly by many physicians, one of the most compelling arguments came from Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman. Chapman lost her husband, who was a smoker, to a respiratory illness. She wants to take the steps necessary to protect others from contracting the same illnesses, some against their will due to second hand smoke. She made the argument that second hand smoke has been ignored much too long and likened it to feeding large amounts of sugar to a diabetic against his or her will. Continue reading
