Health Issues
Food and Drug Administration Actions Related to Nicotine Replacement Therapies and Smoking-Cessation Products (Document ID FDA-2012-N-1148-0011)
On January 14, 2013, I wrote the following comment to the FDA
I am writing as an individual consumer, ex-smoker, who is keenly interested in helping smokers to end tobacco use.
I am 57 years old and started smoking cigarettes at the age of 12 but I have not smoked for the past year since I started using electronic cigarettes. I stopped for several years as a teenager and then resumed again at the age of 26. At times I smoked as many as three packs a day.
I tried to quit smoking many times since using the following methods:
In January 2012, after reading a Time Magazine article on e-cigs, I did some research and ordered a set. I started out using them as supplement to smoking and immediately reduced my cigarette use from approximately 20 to 25 cigarettes a day to 5. Within 3 days I had no desire for tobacco and continued to use the e-cigs.Except for a two day period in May 2012 when I consumed approximately 15 cigarettes, I have not smoked tobacco for approximately one year nor do I have any desire to. I have since tried many different brands of e-cig products and have found the type that best suits my habits.
During this period, there has been a remarkable improvement in my respiratory health. I have completely stopped coughing and wheezing and athletic activity has been substantially more robust. That improvement came with consuming e-cig products at approximately the same rate as my previous tobacco use. With every other method of smoking cessation, I constantly craved cigarette smoking, particularly when exposed to secondhand smoke. Since using e-cigs, it has been quite the opposite as I have been and continue to be repulsed by the smell of burning tobacco. With e-cigs, there is no reason to crave tobacco smoking as you receive almost the same satisfaction with none of the health risks and unpleasantness.
I do not believe that e-cigs should be made less effective by reducing nicotine content availability. To help heavy smokers stop tobacco smoking, I believe it is advisable to allow them to use as high a nicotine dosage as they are accustomed to from smoking. Furthermore, my personal experience is that a pleasant flavor added to e-liquid has enhanced my ability to abandon tobacco in favor of harmless e-cigs. If it was unpleasant, I might be tempted to return to tobacco. It should be noted that although e-cig users do not necessarily adopt a formal smoking cessation program, they often reduce their nicotine dosage from when they start “vaping” as time progresses, with many users opting for nicotine free e-liquids or e-cigs. Nicotine free e-cig products are pointless without pleasing flavors and pose no health risks. To ban their use would be as inappropriate as banning sugary candy snacks or coffee.
I strongly urge the FDA to not propose the "deeming" regulation because it would ban e-cigarettes, and would sharply increase the price and reduce accessibility of the products even if FDA exempted e-cigarettes from the most onerous provisions in Chapter IX. I also request that the FDA remove text from its website that is inaccurate and/or misleading.
In my opinion, allowing unrestricted use of e-cig products by adults with save countless numbers of lives from the ravages of tobacco smoke, both first hand smokers as well and those exposed to secondhand smoke and tertiary smoke residues. Placing any kind of ban on e-cig use or distribution while allowing even highly regulated and taxed cigarette consumption is something that is to me beyond logical comprehension. Cigarettes kill but in my observation, e-cigs save lives.
I have been such a strong proponent of e-cig use for improvement of health that I started a non-business charitable website to promote e-cig use (www.wallstreetvapors.com). I feel so strongly about the benefits that I approach strangers on the street to promote the benefits of e-cigs over smoking. There are so many people who don’t want to smoke anymore but still do are unable to give up habitual behaviors even with conventional nicotine replacement therapies. E-cigs gives those people, who are the overwhelming majority of people who smoke, a chance to save their lives.
Exploding e-cigs hazard
There was news about this recently and frankly I don't completely believe it. I do think that something happened and the big tobaccco and big pharma PR people milked it for all it is worth.
If you do some research, you will see that there are hobbyists out there who do "mods". Mods are modifications of the components of the e-cigs, particularly the batteries. I believe that this is what happened to that guy. He used a modified battery that was too powerful for use in such a device and it was unsafely modified. Batteries can be dangerous. If you like the "Makers Fair" at the New York Hall of Science, you will enjoy that process. I don't mod and I don't think anyone new to this will.
PG (propolyne glycol) vs. VG (vegetable glycerin):
If this concerns you. try to Google a search for "e-cig PG vs. VG" or if you don't want to do a lot of work just read http://www.electroniccigaretteweekly.com/2010/10/pg-vs-vg-whats-right-for-you-.html.
Also, there is an EPA study on Propolyne Glycol which you can read at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/propylene_glycol_red.pdf. Essentially, the EPA stated the following:
Upon reviewing the available toxicity information, the Agency has concluded that there are no endpoints of concern of oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure to propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol. This conclusion is based on the results of toxicity testing of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol in which dose levels near or above testing limits (as established in the OPPTS 870 series harmonized test guidelines) were employed in experimental animal studies and no significant toxicity observed. The Agency has determined that the established exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol meets the safety standarts under the FQPA amendments to section 408(b)(2)(D) of the FFDCA, and that there is a reasonable certainty no harm will result to the general population or any subgroup from the use of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol.
The following everyday products that are either ingested or come in contact with the body contain propolyne glycol:
Ultra Brite with Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste; Crest Pro-Health Oral Rinse, Cool Wintergreen Listerine PocketPaks Breath Strips; Coolmint, Cinnamon, Spearmint and Citrus Flavors; Johnsons Baby Bedtime Lotion; Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Treatment; Mucinex Nasal Spray; Satin Care Shave Gel with Silk, Radiant Apricot; Cover Girl Clean Liquid Makeup, Dark Shades; Nilodor Foaming Hand Sanitizer; Zest Hydrating Fusions Body Wash, Aqua Pure; TCBY Fat Free Frozen Yogurt; Blue Bunny Ice Cream Bars; Afrin Nasal Spray
Health Studies
I did a little research online and found what appear to me to be sponsored studies that are grossly incomplete and may be somewhat misleading. I would not be surprised if they were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies who market smoking cessation products or even the tobacco industry and I really don't fully believe the results. You need to judge for yourself. However, in part judging by how I feel since I started vaping, my uneducated unscientific hunch is that vaping is far less dangerous that smoking and may even have no meaningful health risk. Again, strictly my uneducated non-medical opinion.
This is what I found but there is a lot more out there if you want to spend the time researching. I personally am very skeptical of the findings.
http://copd.about.com/b/2012/01/18/e-cigarettes-may-not-be-better-than-the-real-thing-afterall.htm (this was my favorite because the comments posted to the site where overwhelmingly in favor of vaping and discretiting to the research results.)
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-e-cigarettes-affect-users-airways.html
http://www.primehealthchannel.com/electronic-cigarette-dangers-and-side-effects.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101203141932.htm
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-03-13/health/ecigarettes.smoking_1_e-cigs-nicotine-replacement-electronic-cigarettes/2?_s=PM:HEALTH
http://www.casaa.org/
http://youtu.be/y7hbp0rWoJs
http://youtu.be/U81x8t2iMhw
http://youtu.be/FNSQUKW3ynM
http://youtu.be/ZQbrXADM11o
http://youtu.be/rNthfsVEWKo
http://youtu.be/-zJWNvOtfbU
http://youtu.be/hHZzIgCh4e4
http://youtu.be/8OTWKn4WLa4
http://youtu.be/Hxg5rCtxKh0
http://youtu.be/92DXAFY8-ao
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS AND ARE NOT BASED ON ANY VERIFYABLE MEDICAL FACTS. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING THESE TYPES OF PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR MINORS. IT IS RECOMMENDED ONLY FOR THOSE OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE.
On January 14, 2013, I wrote the following comment to the FDA
I am writing as an individual consumer, ex-smoker, who is keenly interested in helping smokers to end tobacco use.
I am 57 years old and started smoking cigarettes at the age of 12 but I have not smoked for the past year since I started using electronic cigarettes. I stopped for several years as a teenager and then resumed again at the age of 26. At times I smoked as many as three packs a day.
I tried to quit smoking many times since using the following methods:
- Cold turkey - urge to smoke never left and only got stronger as time progressed, especially when exposed to secondhand smoke.
- Hypnosis - simply did not work.
- Laser treatment and acupuncture - did not work.
- Nicotine gum and lozenges - these products work well to ease nicotine cravings but by my experience they do so only between cigarettes, like when flying or doing something else where smoking is not permitted. They also have digestive side effects, cause severe hiccups and headaches.
- Nicotine patch - unfortunately, I was never able to experience any benefit as apparently my body oils would not allow a patch to stay on my body. I am though concerned about overdose to nicotine as the transdermal delivery system causes the user to be unaware of their total nicotine intake and certainly creates problems if they smoke together with the patch’s use or shortly thereafter.
- Chantix - I did quit for a while, but it had side effects such as nausea, stomach aches and other pains. It also had emotional side effects such as increased feelings of aggression and hostility, nervousness, etc. Also, when I discontinued the use I went back to smoking in a matter of days.
In January 2012, after reading a Time Magazine article on e-cigs, I did some research and ordered a set. I started out using them as supplement to smoking and immediately reduced my cigarette use from approximately 20 to 25 cigarettes a day to 5. Within 3 days I had no desire for tobacco and continued to use the e-cigs.Except for a two day period in May 2012 when I consumed approximately 15 cigarettes, I have not smoked tobacco for approximately one year nor do I have any desire to. I have since tried many different brands of e-cig products and have found the type that best suits my habits.
During this period, there has been a remarkable improvement in my respiratory health. I have completely stopped coughing and wheezing and athletic activity has been substantially more robust. That improvement came with consuming e-cig products at approximately the same rate as my previous tobacco use. With every other method of smoking cessation, I constantly craved cigarette smoking, particularly when exposed to secondhand smoke. Since using e-cigs, it has been quite the opposite as I have been and continue to be repulsed by the smell of burning tobacco. With e-cigs, there is no reason to crave tobacco smoking as you receive almost the same satisfaction with none of the health risks and unpleasantness.
I do not believe that e-cigs should be made less effective by reducing nicotine content availability. To help heavy smokers stop tobacco smoking, I believe it is advisable to allow them to use as high a nicotine dosage as they are accustomed to from smoking. Furthermore, my personal experience is that a pleasant flavor added to e-liquid has enhanced my ability to abandon tobacco in favor of harmless e-cigs. If it was unpleasant, I might be tempted to return to tobacco. It should be noted that although e-cig users do not necessarily adopt a formal smoking cessation program, they often reduce their nicotine dosage from when they start “vaping” as time progresses, with many users opting for nicotine free e-liquids or e-cigs. Nicotine free e-cig products are pointless without pleasing flavors and pose no health risks. To ban their use would be as inappropriate as banning sugary candy snacks or coffee.
I strongly urge the FDA to not propose the "deeming" regulation because it would ban e-cigarettes, and would sharply increase the price and reduce accessibility of the products even if FDA exempted e-cigarettes from the most onerous provisions in Chapter IX. I also request that the FDA remove text from its website that is inaccurate and/or misleading.
In my opinion, allowing unrestricted use of e-cig products by adults with save countless numbers of lives from the ravages of tobacco smoke, both first hand smokers as well and those exposed to secondhand smoke and tertiary smoke residues. Placing any kind of ban on e-cig use or distribution while allowing even highly regulated and taxed cigarette consumption is something that is to me beyond logical comprehension. Cigarettes kill but in my observation, e-cigs save lives.
I have been such a strong proponent of e-cig use for improvement of health that I started a non-business charitable website to promote e-cig use (www.wallstreetvapors.com). I feel so strongly about the benefits that I approach strangers on the street to promote the benefits of e-cigs over smoking. There are so many people who don’t want to smoke anymore but still do are unable to give up habitual behaviors even with conventional nicotine replacement therapies. E-cigs gives those people, who are the overwhelming majority of people who smoke, a chance to save their lives.
Exploding e-cigs hazard
There was news about this recently and frankly I don't completely believe it. I do think that something happened and the big tobaccco and big pharma PR people milked it for all it is worth.
If you do some research, you will see that there are hobbyists out there who do "mods". Mods are modifications of the components of the e-cigs, particularly the batteries. I believe that this is what happened to that guy. He used a modified battery that was too powerful for use in such a device and it was unsafely modified. Batteries can be dangerous. If you like the "Makers Fair" at the New York Hall of Science, you will enjoy that process. I don't mod and I don't think anyone new to this will.
PG (propolyne glycol) vs. VG (vegetable glycerin):
If this concerns you. try to Google a search for "e-cig PG vs. VG" or if you don't want to do a lot of work just read http://www.electroniccigaretteweekly.com/2010/10/pg-vs-vg-whats-right-for-you-.html.
Also, there is an EPA study on Propolyne Glycol which you can read at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/propylene_glycol_red.pdf. Essentially, the EPA stated the following:
Upon reviewing the available toxicity information, the Agency has concluded that there are no endpoints of concern of oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure to propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol. This conclusion is based on the results of toxicity testing of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol in which dose levels near or above testing limits (as established in the OPPTS 870 series harmonized test guidelines) were employed in experimental animal studies and no significant toxicity observed. The Agency has determined that the established exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol meets the safety standarts under the FQPA amendments to section 408(b)(2)(D) of the FFDCA, and that there is a reasonable certainty no harm will result to the general population or any subgroup from the use of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol.
The following everyday products that are either ingested or come in contact with the body contain propolyne glycol:
Ultra Brite with Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste; Crest Pro-Health Oral Rinse, Cool Wintergreen Listerine PocketPaks Breath Strips; Coolmint, Cinnamon, Spearmint and Citrus Flavors; Johnsons Baby Bedtime Lotion; Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Treatment; Mucinex Nasal Spray; Satin Care Shave Gel with Silk, Radiant Apricot; Cover Girl Clean Liquid Makeup, Dark Shades; Nilodor Foaming Hand Sanitizer; Zest Hydrating Fusions Body Wash, Aqua Pure; TCBY Fat Free Frozen Yogurt; Blue Bunny Ice Cream Bars; Afrin Nasal Spray
Health Studies
I did a little research online and found what appear to me to be sponsored studies that are grossly incomplete and may be somewhat misleading. I would not be surprised if they were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies who market smoking cessation products or even the tobacco industry and I really don't fully believe the results. You need to judge for yourself. However, in part judging by how I feel since I started vaping, my uneducated unscientific hunch is that vaping is far less dangerous that smoking and may even have no meaningful health risk. Again, strictly my uneducated non-medical opinion.
This is what I found but there is a lot more out there if you want to spend the time researching. I personally am very skeptical of the findings.
http://copd.about.com/b/2012/01/18/e-cigarettes-may-not-be-better-than-the-real-thing-afterall.htm (this was my favorite because the comments posted to the site where overwhelmingly in favor of vaping and discretiting to the research results.)
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-e-cigarettes-affect-users-airways.html
http://www.primehealthchannel.com/electronic-cigarette-dangers-and-side-effects.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101203141932.htm
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-03-13/health/ecigarettes.smoking_1_e-cigs-nicotine-replacement-electronic-cigarettes/2?_s=PM:HEALTH
http://www.casaa.org/
http://youtu.be/y7hbp0rWoJs
http://youtu.be/U81x8t2iMhw
http://youtu.be/FNSQUKW3ynM
http://youtu.be/ZQbrXADM11o
http://youtu.be/rNthfsVEWKo
http://youtu.be/-zJWNvOtfbU
http://youtu.be/hHZzIgCh4e4
http://youtu.be/8OTWKn4WLa4
http://youtu.be/Hxg5rCtxKh0
http://youtu.be/92DXAFY8-ao
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS AND ARE NOT BASED ON ANY VERIFYABLE MEDICAL FACTS. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING THESE TYPES OF PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR MINORS. IT IS RECOMMENDED ONLY FOR THOSE OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE.