Resources about E-Cigarettes

American Lung Association

E-cigarettes: Another Option to Help You Quit Smoking?

http://www.lung.org/associations/states/florida/educational-programs/e-cigarettes.html

The American Lung Association presents a Johns Hopkins Health Alert which says that e-cigarettes are not the answer to quitting smoking and that there is a lack of scientific evidence to support claims that they are healthier than normal cigarettes and can help you quit smoking. The article says that e-cigarettes may not deliver enough nicotine to suppress cravings.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

News and Events: Electronic Cigarettes

http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm172906.htm

This page describes electronic cigarettes and states FDA’s position that without clinical studies consumers cannot know if electronic cigarettes are safe, what potentially harmful chemicals they might contain, and how much nicotine an e-cigarette user inhales. Other topics include FDAs actions and authority to regulate electronic cigarettes and links to information on safely quitting tobacco.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Smoking Cessation

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting/index.htm

This page focuses on tobacco cessation beginning with dependence on nicotine, the main ingredient in electronic cigarettes. Topics include smokers’ attempts to quit, methods of quitting, and helpful resources.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Tobacco Addiction (Nicotine)

http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/tobacco-addiction-nicotine

NIDA has information on tobacco/nicotine addiction, effects of tobacco and nicotine, statistics and trends, and several publications on cigarettes and other tobacco products, tobacco addiction, and related research.

World Health Organization (WHO)

News Release: Marketers of Electronic Cigarettes Should Halt Unproved Therapy Claims

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2008/pr34/en/

This international news release states that WHO does not consider electronic cigarettes to be a legitimate therapy for smokers trying to quit. More specifically, WHO does not consider the electronic cigarette to be an appropriate nicotine replacement therapy and calls for more research.

Health Canada

Advisories and Warnings: Health Canada Advises Canadians Not to Use Electronic Cigarettes

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2009/2009_53-eng.php

This news release adds a view on electronic cigarettes from outside the United States. Health Canada advised Canadians not to buy or use electronic smoking products because of possible health risks and lack of full evaluation. Health Canada notes that electronic smoking products may pose risks such as nicotine poisoning and addiction and that inhaling propylene glycol, which produces the vapor in many e-cigarettes, is an irritant.