Study: E-Cigarettes Can Produce Carcinogens

New research finds that “smoking” an e-cigarette can produce harmful carcinogens. According to an article in the New York Times, two new studies will be published in May 2014 in the journal of Nicotine and Tobacco Research. Findings include “that the high-power e-cigarettes known as tank systems produce formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, along with the nicotine-laced vapor that their users inhale.” The study found that this happens when ingredients in the e-cigarette and liquid nicotine are exposed to high temperatures.

The studies took a look at tank systems, which are larger than e-cigarettes and hold more liquid nicotine that decreases the need to refill. Researchers looked at “dripping,” which is when users put drops of the fluid right onto the heating element creating more heat. They found that “intense heat can change the composition of e-liquids, creating new chemicals.”

FDA Proposed New E-Cigarette Regulations

After receiving more than 50 complaints about e-cigarettes, the FDA proposed new regulations for manufacturers of the products in April 2014. These regulations would include the following:

• No free samples
• FDA review required for marketing new tobacco products
• Report ingredients and product listing to the FDA
• Manufacturers can only make claims of reduced risk if evidence finds it will benefit public health

“Newly deemed tobacco products” would also be subjected to some new regulations which would focus on health warnings and preventing those that are underage from getting ahold of the product.

Some of the complaints included headaches, cough, dizziness, and nose bleeds, cardiovascular issues including chest pain, sore throat, and allergic reactions.

E-Cigarette Market Grows

Sales of e-cigarettes have increased from $283 million in 2012 to $537 million in 2013. Americans who are trying to quit smoking may turn to e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine that turns into a vapor when it is heated and inhaled. Several cities, including New York City, are regulating where e-cigarettes can be smoked. The city council voted to ban them in public places including restaurants and parks in December 2013.

Now a group is filing a lawsuit saying the ban does not fall under the “Smoke-Free Air Act” which includes cigarettes that produce smoke. The group argues that e-cigarettes do not produce any smoke and therefore shouldn’t be included.

City leaders in Chicago also passed a new rule that bans “vaping” from e-cigarettes in restaurants, bars and other indoor establishments that took effect in April 2014.