E-cigarettes - a device for delivery of variable amounts of vaporized nicotine..

From the illustration you can see that an e-cigarette is not a cigarette but a delivery device containing a battery and plastic and metal parts, capable of vaporizing a liquid that then can be inhaled. The liquid in this case is various flavors of nicotine (that may isolated from tobacco or synthetically made) - a very toxic substance and, as we know, highly addicting. Chinese smoke juice is notorious for being manufactured using Pesticide-Grade Nicotine, and Industrial-Grade Propylene Glycol. These contaminated ingredients pose an increasing and unnecessary risk to electronic cigarette users throughout the world. (Halo Electronic Cigarettes web site)

A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, has found that nicotine, on its own, does promote the development of cancer in healthy tissues in addition, to indirectly contributing to the growth of any existing cancer. (PAPER: Nicotine in cigarettes linked to breast cancer..)

November 3, 2010 - Electronic cigarettes are promoted just about everywhere in the U.S. and especially on the Internet. Three judges from U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will soon render an opinion on if the FDA should regulate this medical device. Oral arguments were heard on September 23, 2010.

Non-profit health organizations such as The American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, have called for e-cigarettes to be removed from the market. The groups say e-cigarettes have yet to be proven safe and that kids may be attracted to the products, some of which come in flavors like chocolate and strawberry. (Controversy Swirls Around E-Cigarettes by LAUREN ETTER, The Wall Street Journal, 6/2/2009) American Medical Association (AMA) recommends that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) be classified as drug delivery devices, subject to the same FDA regulations as all other drug delivery devices. (US AMA policy - e-cigarettes FDA should treat as a drug delivery device..) Even Russia has proposed to ban electronic cigarettes - until the manufacturers have carried out clinical studies and toxicity analysis.
(Russia - electronic cigarettes to be banned..)

Recently an opinion paper in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine highlights the potential hazards of e-cigarettes, suggesting they may not be as benign as promoted.

PAPER: E-Cigarettes: A Rapidly Growing Internet Phenomenon, Cyrus K. Yamin, BS; Asaf Bitton, MD, MPH; and David W. Bates, MD, MSc (dbates@partners.org), Arch Int Med: vol. 153 no. 9 607-609, 2010, ABSTRACT...

The authors wrote that the devices pose several health concerns: "First, e-cigarettes may pose a risk as starter products for nonusers of tobacco. Although candy-flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes were recently banned by the FDA in efforts to hinder marketing toward children, the posturing of e-cigarettes as 'green' and 'healthy' could deceptively lure adolescents. E-cigarettes also may represent a way for adolescents and adults to skirt smoke-free indoor air laws."

More study findings show the risk to children should they get their hands on the things--the concentrated nicotine found in refill bottles could be toxic and even fatal to children. "Health professionals," the authors write, "need to monitor the biological, social, and addictive effects of e-cigarettes and be aware of their rapid dissemination online."

Reference: Electronic cigarettes are increasing in popularity but may carry risks by Jeannine Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11/2/2010.

Some e-cigarette news briefs:
U.S. e-cigarette imports banned indefinitely - ASH..;
THIS MUST STOP - e-cigarette company asking active duty soldiers to buy their product..;
Electronic cigarettes - study finds not an effective nicotine delivery system..;
U.S. - federal appeals court, import of e-cigarettes on hold again..;
U.S. FDA appealing a federal judge's ruling on e-cigarettes..;
U.S. FDA - judges ruling regarding e-cigarettes must be appealed - ASAP..;
California - attorney general thinks e-cigarette distributor is targeting minors..;
E-cigarettes - scientists want more safety studies before use..;
In Process: US. Federal District court judge makes serious error regarding the import of e-cigarettes..;
New Jersey assemblywoman wants to limit electronic (e) cigarettes..;
"Smoking Everywhere", an electronic cigarettes retailer sued..;
Dubai, UAE customs blocks e-cigarette shipment..;
Connecticut AG Blumnethal wants to ban e-cigarettes..;
Orgeon - files lawsuit against e-cigarette company..;
Saudi Arabia - banning sales of electronic (e) cigarettes..;
Smoking Everywhere - e-cigarette distributor..;
Oregon - electronic (e) cigarettes sales prohibited until approved by FDA..;
Israel bans electronic (e) cigarettes..;
New Zealand - 1st trial ever of e-cigarettes..;
FDA: Electronic cigarettes contain toxic chemicals..;
e-cigarettes - Company sues FDA for blocking imports of product..;
e-cigarettes - FDA approval needed prior to marketing..;
E-cigarettes need to establish efficacy and safety - FIRST..;