Where's the FDA - Walmart may start selling e-cigarettes..

January 17, 2011 - One of the hottest trends in health may be coming to your friendly big box retailer down the street. Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or ‘vapor sticks’ may be heading to Walmart. That’s right…Walmart. But it won’t be in the electronics section.

Electronic cigarettes should not be defined as cigarettes. A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco for smoking, enclosed in a wrapper of thin paper. An e-cigarette is a delivery device containing a battery and plastic and metal parts, capable of vaporizing a liquid that then can be inhaled. The vaporizing liquid is nicotine consisting of various flavors like chocolate and strawberry so the user can tolerate the taste. A better definition of an e-cigarettes = electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED), veterinary products, and cosmetics.

FDA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, who has led the FDA's campaign against e-cigarettes is leaving the agency. (U.S. FDA - loses two top members - Connolly/Sharfstein..)

As we have tried to point out nicotine is a highly toxic substance. In fact, in a recent study nicotine has been found itself to be carcinogenic. Britain's Royal College of Physicians has argued that nicotine should be treated like a controlled substance because "it's a powerful addictive substance like heroin and cocaine." Health Canada explains that "nicotine causes chemical or biological changes in the brain," a psychoactive effect. "Although it is less dramatic than heroin or cocaine, the strength of the addiction is just as powerful." (Is nicotine really as addictive as heroin?) E-cigarettes - a device for delivery of variable amounts of vaporized nicotine..;

Nicotine is very poisonous and ingesting even the smallest amount can cause extreme fatigue, vomiting, a rapid yet weak pulse, and possibly nervous breakdowns, even death. (FDA: Electronic cigarettes contain toxic chemicals..; E-cigarettes - scientists want more safety studies before use..)

Image - Nicotine Side Effects..

Philip Morris USA - interest e-cigarettes..

Click to enlarge..
Electronic cigarettes arrived on the scene in the mid-2000s. It’s tube, shaped like a regular cigarette, features a mini-vaporizer, a rechargeable battery and sensor that can tell when a smoker takes a drag. It is supposed to mimic the taste and feel of a real cigarette. FDA - where's the safety and efficacy data for this ENDS..

Most e-cigarettes are manufactured in China and imported into the United States. Walmart is the biggest importer of Chinese goods, making the stocking of electronic cigarettes a natural fit.

“Walmart is going to stock the [electronic cigarette] kits behind the counter and will only be sold to adults 18 and over,” says a source within Walmart. “One aisle will have the ability to sell cigarettes and that’s exactly where they will go.”

No word on when Walmart will begin carrying vapor sticks.

Reference: Walmart to Begin Selling Electronic Cigarettes? by Rachel Daley, Chicago Independent Press, 1/12/2011.

Some e-cigarette news briefs:
U.S. FDA - loses two top members - Connolly/Sharfstein..;
U.S. FDA files new appeal in e-cigarette lawsuit..;
FDA Law Blog - e-cigarettes, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals..;
Federal Court of Appeals - e-cigarettes - rules against the FDA..;
E-cigarettes - a device for delivery of variable amounts of vaporized nicotine..;
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..;