2016 Wellness Expo

18 / 64

Page 18 2016 Wellness Expo Lincoln Daily Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Electronic cigarettes, or
e-cigarettes, are popular new
tobacco products that have still
largely unknown public and
individual health effects. In fact,
you may be surprised to learn
that e-cigarettes are entirely
unregulated by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA).
Because of this, there are no
safety checks or requirements for
what can go into an e-cigarette.
The American Lung Association
is concerned about the potential
health consequences of
e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes, including e-pens,
e-pipes, e-hookah and e-cigars,
are known collectively as
electronic nicotine delivery
systems (ENDS). According
to the FDA, e-cigarettes are
devices that allow users to inhale
an aerosol (vapor) containing
nicotine or other substances.
Unlike traditional cigarettes,
e-cigarettes generally are battery-
operated and use a heating
element to heat e-liquid from a
refillable cartridge, releasing a
chemical-filled aerosol.
The main component of
e-cigarettes is the e-liquid
contained in cartridges. To create
an e-liquid, nicotine is extracted
from tobacco and mixed with a
base (usually propylene glycol),
and may also include flavorings,
colorings and other chemicals.
Because there is no government
oversight of these products,
nearly 500 brands and 7,700
flavors of e-cigarettes are on
the market, all without an
FDA evaluation determining
what’s in them. So there is no
way for anyone—healthcare
professionals or consumers—
to know what chemicals are
contained in e-liquids, or how
e-cigarette use might affect
health, whether in the short term
or in the long run.
Early studies show that
e-cigarettes contain nicotine
and also may have other
harmful chemicals, including
carcinogens.
Aside from concerns about
e-cigarette use and emissions
alone, calls to the nation’s poison
centers related to
e-cigarette exposure poisonings
are rapidly increasing, according
to data released by the Centers
The Dangers of E-Cigarettes
From Brianna Allen, Health Education Intern Logan County Department of Public Health
Continue 8