Electronic Cigarette, Essay Example

Electronic cigarettes have been debated since their appearance years ago. The below essay is evaluating one of the most common claims: “Electronic cigarette is unsafe for public, because:

• it contains a stimulant drug: nicotine
• it is unregulated
• and research shows that liquids used for filling cartridges can cause allergic reactions, such as polypropylene glycol.

Many people look at electronic cigarettes as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco products and claim that users of electronic cigarettes do not subject themselves to the 4000 toxic chemicals found in the smoke of a cigarette. While this is true, it is important to note that nicotine is a food-grade stimulant drug and overdose can cause serious health problems. Further, it is a highly toxic alkaloid, according to the definition of thee Drug Bank and can be absorbed through skin. Further, according to studies, overdose of nicotine can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disturbed hearing and vision, confusion, weakness, hypotension and abdominal pain. This means that drug administration documents should be assigned to electronic cigarettes and they should be regulated as a drug in order to ensure that they do not cause harm to users.

Regulation of drugs is important because, according to the EPHA (3),  to protect the health and well-being of people. In America, several similar debates have been held on the regulation of tobacco and nicotine containing products. The FDA Report for Congress states that “In general, a product that contains nicotine intended to be used as a “drug,” along with a “device” component to deliver the nicotine, would be considered to have its primary mode of action through the drug component and would be regulated through the NDA process. This is to ensure that the devices are used the correct way, the substances do not contain harmful ingredients and that the public is aware of the risks. While it is not legal in the United States to sell electronic cigarettes to children, it is possible. Further, as nicotine is a highly addictive drug, the risks of developing dependency need to be communicated. Hence, regulation is needed to ensure that electronic cigarettes and nicotine replacement products are safe. As patches and nicotine gums are regulated by the FDA, it is common sense that electronic cigarettes should be, too. Today, anyone can buy nicotine liquid from the Internet, even from abroad where there are no regulations. For example, some Chinese companies started to specialize on selling bulk devices and substances without providing a list of ingredients.

Polypropylene glycol, according to Noll-Marsh, is approved for human consumption by the FDA. While the author states that it is often confused with diethylene glycol; an ingredient of antifreeze, several studies have linked this polypropylene glycol to flares of the immune system and respiratory illnesses. With so many people suffering from allergies and asthma in the Western world, it is important to develop studies that examine whether there should be a warning about polypropylene glycol on the label of electronic cigarettes. On the other hand, food flavorings and synthetic aromas can also trigger allergic reactions, therefore, until the relationship between respiratory illnesses and polypropylene glycol, as well as other substances, is fully revealed, electronic cigarettes cannot be considered to be safe. Large doses the substance can cause hypotension bradycardia, arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest.

As a conclusion, the only way electronic cigarettes can be made safe is through regulation and research of the health impacts of substances used to manufacture them.

References

Drugbank Canada. “Nicotine” 2012. Web.

EPHA Report. “EPHA Briefing. Regulatory options for Nicotine Containing Products (NCPs) in the EU”. 2013. Web.

Noll?Marsh, K. “Are Electronic Cigarettes Safe?” 2013. Web.

Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration “Innovative Products And Treatments To Achieve Abstinence From Tobacco Use, Reductions In Consumption Of Tobacco, And Reductions In The Harm Associated With           Continued Tobacco Use”. 2011. Web.