Electronic Cigarette Safety

There have been made many discussions about electronic cigarette safety, as e cigarettes are quite new devices and there have not been made extensive experiments with them yet. Usually electronic cigarettes are being promoted the world over as a safer substitute for the regular cigarettes, since it cuts out all the health risks associated with traditional smoking. They are known to be free from tobacco and carcinogenic ingredients, and also do not produce any kind of smoke or carbon monoxide. But, while electronic cigarette companies are going all out to highlight the positive aspects of electronic cigarettes, users are left unaware of the health risks that may be attached to these new products. So, are there really any health risks from electronic cigarettes?

As of now, there are no specific health risks pointed out with electronic cigarettes. But several regulatory authorities across the world are still not convinced about the ‘clean-slate’ image of these products, the leader of the pack being the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since the prospects of electronic cigarettes being completely ‘clean’ and risk-free are still cloudy, an association, by the name of Electronic Cigarette Association, has come up  to check unsubstantiated claims propagated by producers and marketers of e-cigs.

It is the American Food and Drug Administration, and particularly its Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis that is active in continually testing the health risks that electronic cigarettes may produce among users. On several occasions, it has detected ingredients used in regular cigarettes being incorporated in their electronic versions. Some of the substances traced in these products include diethylene glycol, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), as well as unchecked delivery dosages of nicotine on use.

Though electronic cigarettes have revolutionized a new alternative in smoking, the path is still not clear for many brands and manufacturers to sell their products in various parts of the world. Accusations are strong against the product for fostering nicotine-addiction, sometimes even among children. While Australia and Brazil have completely banned nicotine-rich electronic cigarettes, several other countries, including the UK and the US, are keeping their gates open, though bound by a few restrictions.

However, nothing substantial and significant has been charged against these electronic smoking devices, and in fact, many medical associations around the world are recommending a switch to this safer alternative over harmful smoking. Not only do these products eliminate the life-threatening risks from tobacco-filled cigarettes, but they are also a great boon for incessant smokers to get rid of their habit and to even quit smoking.  There are, however, warnings against companies who are banking on promoting electronic cigarettes as cessation devices.