DEAR DR. GOTT: I was at a meeting several nights ago. During a break in the program, a gentleman excused himself to go outside so he could smoke what he called an e-cigarette. I didn’t have the time to ask him much about it but am certainly intrigued by it. I’m a smoker and would consider this as a substitute. I don’t have a regular doctor but would defer to your views on the matter.
DEAR READER: Electronic cigarettes are promoted as an alternative to inhaled tobacco products. It is a battery-powered “cigarette” that provides a vaporized propylene glycol/nicotine mixture through inhalation, providing a sensation similar to inhaled tobacco smoke, even though there is no tobacco, combustion or real smoke. The unit is made of stainless steel, with a lithium-ion battery that heats a filament devised to vaporize liquid nicotine in a refillable cartridge. I understand disposable e-cigarettes are also available. A Chinese pharmacist invented the original unit in 2003, and it was introduced to the market the following year. Export commenced in 2005/2006.
I saw an individual using one of these devices and can offer the following. The unit this gentleman had was substantially heavier than a regular cigarette. When puffed, the LED glow tip lit up as though the “cigarette” were lit. A nicotine canister delivers a small amount of nicotine to allow a user to reduce his or her nicotine intake. On exhaling, water vapor is emitted. While he may have purchased a top-of-the-line unit, it cost the gentleman about $139, was ordered through the mail, and came with eight filters. A filter is about 30 cigarettes, comparable to a pack and a half. Filters can be purchased without buying the complete package — again through the mail. He indicated a number of stores nationwide now carry e-cigarettes, which would eliminate the mail system and the waiting involved. When the tip of the unit flashes instead of glows, this is an indication the “cigarette” should be recharged, similarly to a cell phone. Unfortunately, I neglected to ask how long a charge lasts. What was most amazing to me was that the gentleman I spoke with took a puff, exhaled “smoke” rings, and put the unit back in his pocket. Because of the perception of smoke, the process has the slang term “vaping.” No heat, no lighter, no cigarette pack in a pocket, no loose tobacco, no smell. What will they think of next?
Because FDA analysis detected carcinogens when their regulators did preliminary checks in March 2010, they imposed a ban on the import of e-cigarettes pending a regulatory review for any potential health risks. It appears there are no health warnings on the products. E-cigarettes haven’t been completely regulated, are not considered tobacco products, and no restrictions for minors are in place. Furthermore, because of a lack of the designation as a tobacco product, this could have an impact on prior prohibitions in restaurants, bars, airplanes and a whole host of other locations that heretofore disallowed such activity. The FDA has announced that it intends to regulate electronic cigarettes and related products.
I personally cannot answer whether the unit emits more or less nicotine than the real thing, nor do I know the long-term health effects involved. Tests performed by the FDA found that cartridges labeled as containing no nicotine did, in fact, contain it and that three different electronic-cigarette cartridges with the same label emitted a markedly different amount with each puff. I will print a follow-up when more details and long-term results become known.
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