What’s with Electric Cigarettes and the FDA

Electric cigarettes, anti-freeze, teenagers and the FDA… how are these four things connected?

Evidently the FDA found small traces of diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze, in (one) sample of electronic cigarette solution they analyzed.  There is also concern that teenagers will get addicted to electronic smoking from the different flavors electric cigarettes have to offer.  How serious and factious are these issues?  Are e-cigarettes harmful mechanical devices that should be banned?  Lets get the facts straight and pull all this information into perspective.

Actually most electric cigarettes have Propylene glycol (PG) not Diethylene glycol (DG). Some of the nicotine liquids are comprised of Vegetable glycerin (VG). These may be a toxic ingredient but exactly how toxic is it?

1. It is has one-tenth the toxicity of aspirin.

2. It has one-fortieth the toxicity of nicotine (the primary ingredient in electronic cigarette vapor). Nicotine is considered toxic.

Propylene glycol is also found in everyday consumable products like:

- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash – Cough syrup
- Wine
- Dog food
- Make Up, Cosmetics
- Lotions, Shampoos
- And many others…

You have to question why the FDA is focusing so much on the minute traces of PG, DG or VG found in one sample when clearly this is a very common ingredient many of us are regularly ingesting daily.

That’s not to say that propylene or diethylene glycol is totally harmless and we shouldn’t have any concerns about it.  But when the FDA propaganda is focusing on words like ‘diethylene glycol’ and ‘anti-freeze’ it sure does sound scary.  Nonetheless, a little bit of educating on the facts puts it back in perspective doesn’t it?  Besides and by the way, water is another ingredient found in anti-freeze!

The FDA tends to give the impression that they have regulatory control over nicotine products. That is not always the case.  They regulate smoking cessation products and smoking cessation claims.  That’s why an electronic cig are marketed as a smoking alternative or harm reduction product and not as a means to quit smoking.

Another “concern” declared by the FDA is that electric cigarettes target underage children.  Here is an FDA quote from one of their many reports:

“These products are marketed and sold to young people and are readily available online and in shopping malls. They are also available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people”.

There is absolutely no, notta, zero evidence that e cigarettes target teenagers.  Just the opposite is happening… the e cig market is focused on adults who already smoke and are searching for a healthier alternative they can use in public places and around their loved ones.  And here is some more breaking news:  Adults like to shop in malls and enjoy a variety of flavor choices too!  Furthermore, the initial cost to buy a top of the line electronic cig is not practical for most teenagers.

I encourage and advocate all of you to do your own due diligence and review, research the electronic cig to see if this is something that will benefit you.  Look at all sides of the story and get unbiased information.  Right now the FDA appears to be biased against electronic smoking for some reason.  Do they have a hidden agenda? Big pharmaceutical or big tobacco companies? Who knows… but I think I detect trace elements of BS and propaganda in the FDA reports!

.