Smoking Everywhere - e-cigarette distributor..

August 5, 2009 - Smoking Everywhere, a South Florida company, is fighting to be able to distribute electronic (e) cigarettes in the USA.

Why struggle to be grouped with a product vilified for killing millions of people each year? At least for Smoking Everywhere Inc., it's a step up from having its product regulated as a drug. Smoking Everywhere claims that unlike nicotine gums and transdermal patches that the FDA regulates, its e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to smoking, not necessarily a means to quit smoking.

Smoking Everywhere distributes e-cigarettes, which can't be lit and don't have tobacco. They are battery-operated and contain cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. The steel tube Company representatives will be in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 17 for a hearing in federal district court to challenge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which wants e-cigarettes labeled as drug devices under its jurisdiction.

The FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as safe and has seized shipments being imported into the country. The FDA announced on July 22 that a laboratory analysis of e-cigarettes found that they contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze.

The FDA asserts that it's protecting consumers. Right now, it's unclear how e-cigarettes will affect users' health, said Judy Leon, a spokeswoman for the FDA.
In a court filing, the FDA proposes that e-cigarettes fall in the category of drug devices as defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. They are designed, the FDA argues, to help in the treatment of nicotine addiction, which some medical experts have labeled a disease. No matter how the companies market the product, e-cigarettes deliver nicotine, so the FDA has the authority to regulate them, Leon said.

Reference: Electronic cigarettes set for battle with FDA by Nicole Norfleet, St. Petersburg, 8/5/2009.

A few related news briefs: Oregon - electronic (e) cigarettes sales prohibited until approved by FDA..; Israel bans electronic (e) cigarettes..; New Zealand - 1st trial ever of e-cigarettes..; Another e-cigarette..; Denmark - e-cigarettes can not be sold OTC..; E-cigarettes need to establish efficacy and safety - FIRST..; Health Canada warns against 'e-cigarettes'..

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