In 2004, a Chinese company began producing the electronic (or e-) cigarette, a battery powered device that creates a mist from a refillable, flavored nicotine solution. These devices are designed to look like real cigarettes and typically consist of a battery component, an atomizer filled with liquid nicotine and an inhaler. When the smoker puffs on the inhaler, the electronic device causes the tip of the e-cigarette to glow and the atomizer turns the liquid nicotine into a vapor, or mist. The vapor can be inhaled and then exhaled by the user, creating a cloud that resembles cigarette smoke.

The e-cigarette is sold as a metal tube that requires refillable cartridges of nicotine and flavorings. Some of the flavors available include coffee, tobacco, apple, strawberry, banana and bubble gum. The cartridges are sold in different doses of nicotine, from high doses to no nicotine at all.

Health Effects of E-Cigarettes

The e-cigarette has been marketed as both an alternative to smoking cigarettes and a potential cessation product. However, at this time, there are no published clinical trials- and no clinical trials have been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - that suggest it might work as a way to help smokers quit using tobacco. As of mid 2009, the FDA says that it has examined e-cigarettes and determined that they meet the “definition of both a drug and device under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.” As such, they must receive FDA approval before being marketed.

There are also questions about the safety and efficacy of the e-cigarette due to the absence of peer-reviewed studies on the product. With no oversight of e-cigarettes there is no guarantee nicotine levels and other ingredients are accurately listed. Additionally, no studies have been published showing the vapor inhaled by the user and exhaled into the environment is safe. Until the product can be further studied for potential health risks, the FDA has halted foreign imports of e-cigarettes.

Like other forms of nicotine, the e-cigarettes and nicotine cartridges can be toxic to children and pets, who risk fatal nicotine poisoning from the liquid nicotine cartridges.

Marketing E-Cigarettes

At this time, there are three large U.S. companies and dozens of smaller ones that sell e-cigarettes, though most e-cigarettes are manufactured in China. Here, the e-cigarette is usually sold as a way to get nicotine in places where smoking is not allowed, although some may sell it as a way to quit smoking. The e-cigarette is typically available online, in mall kiosks, and has even been found in warehouse stores, like Costco.

In the last 12 months, sales of the product in the United States have more than doubled, to an estimated $100 million, as more states and localities ban indoor smoking and boost taxes on cigarettes.

Sources:

American Cancer Society, Prevention and Early Detection. “Guide to Quitting Smoking,” Last Revised May 2009.

The Wall Street Journal. “Controversy Swirls Around E-Cigarettes,” June 2, 2009.