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Subscribe to RSSMore Americans know about and smoke electronic cigarettes in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday -- something that highlights the need for government regulation and evaluation, the head of CDC's office on smoking and health said.
The CDC found the number of smokers who have tried them doubled in just a year amid heavy marketing -- from 10 percent in 2010 to about 21 percent in 2011. The numbers grew from 2.5 percent to 7.4 percent for former smokers, the report, published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, finds.
Nearly six in 10 adults in the U.S. are aware of the battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution and create vapor that users inhale, according the first study to assess the change in awareness and use of electronic cigarettes on a national level.
"These finding sort of tantalizingly underscore the need for more rigorous study of patterns of use of e-cigarettes and impacts," the CDC's Dr. Tim McAfee said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Until there's regulatory authority and oversight, it's going to be more difficult to be certainly reassuring around things like toxic effects."
Some of the nation's largest tobacco companies have gotten into the e-cig market as part of the industrywide push to diversify beyond the traditional cigarette business. Reynolds American Inc., the second-biggest U.S. cigarette maker, has begun limited distribution of its first electronic cigarette under the Vuse brand. Lorillard Inc., the nation's third-biggest tobacco company, acquired e-cigarette maker Blu Ecigs in April. Some e-cigarettes are made to look like a cigarette with a tiny light on the tip that glows like the real thing.
The Food and Drug Administration says e-cigarettes have not been fully studied. The federal agency is expected to assert regulatory authority over e-cigarettes later this year to treat them the same as traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The FDA has said its tests found that the liquid in some electronic cigarettes contained toxins besides nicotine as well as cancer-causing substances that occur naturally in tobacco. But some public health experts say the level of carcinogens was comparable to those found in nicotine replacement therapy, because the nicotine in all of the products is extracted from tobacco.
According to the results of a series of online surveys, the CDC reported, awareness of electronic cigarettes increased from 40 percent in 2010 to nearly 60 percent in 2011, and use among adults doubled to 6 percent during that time.
McAfee said the motivations behind e-cigarette use remain unclear. For example, a former smoker could be experimenting with them as a new nicotine delivery system, or could have used an electronic cigarette to quit smoking regular cigarettes. Current smokers might be using e-cigs in places where tobacco smoking isn't allowed.
More than 45 million Americans smoke cigarettes, and about half of smokers try to quit each year.
First marketed overseas in 2002, e-cigarettes didn't become easily available in the U.S. until late 2006. Now, the industry has grown from the thousands of users in 2006 to several million worldwide. Analysts estimate sales could double to $1 billion in 2013. Some companies have even started running TV commercials.
Devotees tout e-cigs as a way to break addiction to real cigarettes. They say the devices address both the nicotine addiction and the behavioral aspects of smoking — the holding of the cigarette, the puffing and exhaling something that looks like smoke — without the more than 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes.
"The bottom line is ... the impact of e-cigarettes on public health remains uncertain," McAfee said.
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Of course anything new that draws in a lot of users (translation: is a big money maker), the FDA/government wants to get its regulartory hands on!!!
I suppose you think it is useless to have your food inspected and medications tested and regulated too. These things are called safety standards not rights restrictions.
Anything that helps stop tobacco use - including e-cigs, will help reduce deaths and healthcare costs. Tobbaco remains one of the most addictive and deadliest habits around! The Feds are probably just worried about lost (Sin) Tax revenues!
@ TAJ623251 "I suppose you think it is useless to have your food inspected and medications tested and regulated too. These things are called safety standards not rights restrictions."
Those regulations must not be very important - the FDA has been reducing the number of food and health inspectors for the last decade and it has always relied on the science done by drug companies testing their own products - not 3rd party testing.
Relax, we are from the government, we are here to help you.
I am off of tobacco for three years thanks to ecigs. I was a horrible nicotine addict and the ecig made it completely painless to stop using tobacco. I have steadily reduced the nicotine content of my juice from 24mg to 2mg. I save hundreds of dollars a month not buying cigarettes, my breathing and sense of smell has dramatically improved, and my ecig bothers no one. Leave us alone Feds. We're doing just fine without your interference.
They just want to figure out a way to make money on something that is as effective for quitting smoking as any other nicotine replacement product, and maybe significantly more.
My son and I purchased one of these kits for my wife 2 years ago, best thing we ever did. She still uses it but her nicotine levels are at 0 and she just mixes the flavors, yes they have flavors, pancakes and syrup mixed with blueberry smells really good.. and not just plain smoke smell. Big dollar savings and health wise no more morning hacking.. Best thing we ever did...
Glad to see e-cig popularity and use increasing, and regulation is ok, as long as it's reasonable. Unfortunately, that's usually not the case w/ FDA or any other agency. Either way, they're helping lots of folks avoid tobacco, nicotine & odor, so see E Cig Werks for more.
I didn't even know they contained nicotine. On TV, the commercial says its just water vapor.
Thing is, with the liquid you use. You can customize what you want for flavors and nicotine content; from high nicotine content to none at all.
I smoked my last cigarette 2/20/12--just over a year ago. That was also the first day I tried an e-cig. I wouldn't have done it without the electronic cigarette. I feel better, I smell better, I can breathe better, food tastes better, and I'm NOT inhaling the thousands of chemicals and nasty tar that is in cigarettes. I've read several studies, and I am convinced that ecigs are much safer than cigarettes, and comparable to the more traditional nicotine replacement therapies. I have no problem with reasonable regulation...I only hope that it doesn't put too much of a strain on the reputable small businesses that cater to ecig users, and that ecig parts and supplies continue to be an affordable option for those that want to switch from traditional cigs to ecigs.
My son and I purchased my wife a starter kit 2 years ago, she started on the highest nicotine level and has weened herself down to 0 nicotine and just does it fro habit now I guess. They"res all sorts of flavors and you can mix the drops, There's lots of different brands and you just don't need to get what the BIG (late comers) are now offering..
maybe the fda could examine the cost of living longer by not smoking. After all, I am being forced to pay more taxes so these old geezers can live longer and use up medicare.
Smoked for 20 years. Tried e-cigs, different flavors, (green apple the best), went from 18mg nic to 0mg. Quit after 4 months. Haven't had a cig in over a year. Best way to quit in my opinion. I found that not only was it the nic but the motion and sensation of smoking. I am so much happier and involved. Thanks, E-CIG......
>Analysts estimate sales could double to $1 billion in 2013. Some companies have even started running TV commercials.
And there's why the interest of the FDA has been piqued. They simply *must* find a way to extract more tax money from it!
E-cigs have proven to be a way for smokers to stop smoking comfortably. It costs less than cigarettes, and those who have made the switch are healthier and happy. I'm sure the government will find some way to screw it up.
Oh, should have explained more. I have not had a regular cig or an E-Cig in over a year... No temptations - No worries.
Love my Ecigs! I quit smoking 9/1/2010 after smoking since 1977. Best thing I ever did! Of course the government will want to get their hands on more tax revenue, so they will go after ecigs. I found smoketip.com to be the best, most cost effective around.
where do I get an E-cig?
vapor4life.com
Sounds like a good alternative for smokers. I hope that the government and the liberal types will tread lightly on this one. I know how the liberals love the tax money.
They also seem to like restricting, segregating, refusing to hire, and insulting smokers. Sort of like minorities and gays were treated back in the 50's and 60's. Same condescending behaviour, just aimed at a different target. But they feel so much more progressive and enlightened!
i smoked my last cigarette in March of 2009. That was the first time I tried an E-Cig, and felt that I was finally free from cigarette companies -- at least a little more free from the Taxman. Made me feel real good physically and mentally. Still use E-cigs and I am down to the lowest level of nicotine available. I still use the nicotine as a crutch sometimes when life's adversities send me close to an anxiety attack. I still feel like a few hits on an E-Cig is a 100-fold better "nerve-drug" than nerve medication. We could all use a little less from the pharmacy. Humans have been treating anxiety with nicotine and alcohol for centuries -- now they want to "regulate" these things, make us go spend money at the doctor's offices, get our prescriptions filled, and head to the pharmacy. Then when we get our legal drugs from the pharmacy we can relax in our chair in the privacy of our own home, kick back, take our drugs and read all about the wonderful side-effects, such as liver damage, kidney damage, and about 100 other possibilities. Reading about all those side-effects on my prescriptions makes me nervous -- makes me want to have a smoke and a beer. Only nowadays, it's an E-Cig and a glass of homemade wine or home brewed beer. Did I mention the Taxman? Oh... by the way, my doctor quit practicing around here and I had to get a new doctor. Went in for my first little meeting and he asked me if I smoked, and without lieing, I told him no -- I quit in 2009. He listened to my lungs extensively for quite some time, looked at me finally and said -- You're sure lucky you quit smoking when you did -- your lungs are crystal clear -- they sound like you never ever smoked at all!!!
In Chicago...it's waaaaay cheaper! Fun flavors, no smell, ashes, butts.
"The Food and Drug Administration says e-cigarettes have not been fully studied." What a crock! There are plenty of studies out there--The FDA chooses to ignore them, why?, well I feel it is because they (FDA) has not been paid to evaluate the studies done. If you follow the money trail you'll see what the real agenda is and it has NOTHING to do with health.
These are the bee knees. 151 days smoke free for me. Most users I know would be in favor of regulation that would improve our ability to really know the ingredients (like any other food or drug) but against taxation that seeks to lump eCigarettes in with tobacco.
I've been e-smoking, going on 4 years now. I smoked for over 40 years and stopped the very day that I went electronic. From a health perspective, it changed my life dramatically. No coughing, wheezing...my energy and stamina levels increased and no weight gain. I researched several brands in 2009 and settled on Smart Smoke ...
www.asmartsmoke.com.
If you smoke a pack-a-day you're going to spend between $150 and $300 per month (depending on where you buy your cigs). With an e-smoke product, you will cut that to less than half.
If you can't quit with other nicotene aids I would strongly urge you to research an electronic alternate...most, if not all will give you the same, if not better smoking sensation than harmful ciggarettes...without the harmful and toxic bi-products. If it can work for me, it can work for anybody.
E-Cigarettes were introduced in 2006 and since then what health hazards have shown up worthy of the CDC's attention? None, Nada, Nothing. All the components of e-cigs have been 'generally considered as safe' and used in similar settings since WWII. NZ has been studying e-cigs since 2008,(their health care system is far more concerned with citizens than the USA's profit based model) and stating there is no hazard and no way to get cancer from e-cigs. Hopefully, the CDC just wants some grant money for US studies. Sadly, we know those grants lead to large corp lobbyists stifling small business after small business has already taken the risk on a new product.
It's scandalous, the government can only offer advice or warning, but they shouldn't meddle in our lives! I protest in silence.... E-Cigarettes saved my life! I was a hopeless smoker with serious health complications arising from my addiction. I can now proudly say I haven't touched a tobacco cigarette in over 2 years. I went from smoking the strongest nicotine e-cigs to the lowest now, all the info I needed was here great review website about a lot of e-cigarette brands, and discount coupons as well. I wish all you smokers the best of luck in quitting!
I started using an e-cig two days ago. I haven't had a cigarette SINCE and nor do I have any desire to have one. I attempted to have one a day ago, and coughed and choked and almost threw up after three puffs. It's effective, my sense of smell has come back, I'm not coughing any more and my nose isn't as running as it was before. I feel GREAT. While I believe in SMALL amounts of regulation, going overboard on this matter is stupid. It's effective, and if it works and it's not hurting anyone, they just need to get over it. ( PS: It was literally so sudden that I was a smoker on the way to pick up my e-cig, and a non-smoker on the way back. I've also been smoking for 17 years.)
Twenty seven years smoking. Not smoked in over three years. Quit on day one. Largest support group I have ever seen. Those are the facts I know to be true. Ecigs work when Big Pharma fails or the side affect of them scare you off. I tried the Big Pharma methods and failed so what does that tell you? The FDA is still spouting findings from an old study done on eliquid made in China, not the high quality eliquid made in the U.S. which is what most of us are using. I think it is sad that the government and the "news" use scare tactics to stop people from using something that is by far better for them with a high chance of success. This is turning into a numbers game. For the FDA it is tax dollar numbers. Don't be fooled, your government does not want you to quit smoking. They make too much money off of it. For the news it is viewer numbers driven by false information.
Electronic cigarette businesses have gone crazy over the past twelve months. Regulation is definitely coming and it seems every day now that a new article on the e cigarette boom is being released. We feel regulations will definitely include a mixture of licensing, taxation, bills to prohibit sales to minors, and certain packaging and advertising restrictions. The good news however is that we feel the FDA will be intelligent in this regard and allow people to buy electronic cigarettes at any gas station, convenience store, tobacco smoke as long as the companies that provide the product report and are transparent.