FDA Warn About Electronic Cigarettes

Friday 24th July 2009 HCFI: As per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lab reports electronic cigarette contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze. Also called “e-cigarettes,” these are battery-operated devices that contain cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. The e cigarette turns nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user.

These products are marketed and sold to young people, contain no health warnings and are available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people. Electronic cigarettes could increase nicotine addiction and tobacco use in young people, said Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and Director IMAAKN Sinha Institute.

The FDA analyzed the ingredients of two leading brands of electronic cigarettes an found that they contain diethylene glycol, a chemical used in antifreeze that is toxic to humans, and other carcinogens, including nitrosamines.