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Reality Check: Electronic Cigarettes Are Not So Healthy

Smoking regular cigarettes is known to cause a whole slew of health problems from asthma to emphysema and lung cancer. For some reason though, people keep smoking, so someone came up with the brilliant idea to make electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes.

These battery-powered electronic cigarettes provide inhaled doses of nicotine, although no flame, tobacco, or smoke is involved. E-cigs might give the impression of being healthier than regular cigarettes, but this illusion is mostly smoke and mirrors. When the FDA tested 19 varieties from two companies, they found toxic chemicals, one being a key ingredient in antifreeze. Why am I not surprised?

E-cigarettes aren't regulated like other nicotine products, so their ingredients aren't regulated either. They also tend to be easier for minors to get a hold of. Since some e-cigarettes were designed to mimic real cigarettes — you light them and smoke puffs, these electronic smokes are considered a gateway drug to actual cigarettes. The FDA is "planning additional activities" to deal with the safety of e-cigarettes, which may result in recalling them or taking lawful action. Tell me, have any of you ever tried electronic cigarettes? Do you think they should be banned?

Image Source: Getty
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smithkid smithkid 4 years
Oh Jeeezus!~! I was looking for facts. This is someone's opinion. Clearly this person is not looking for or generating any unbiased information. If the writer doesn't like cigarettes, fine - who does, but lets focus on facts. I've seen it out there - this ain't it.
didntdoit didntdoit 4 years
This article is woefully uninformed, and borderline ignorant. 1. They are not unregulated. Stop trying to use misleading statements to deceive people. It is correct that they are not regulated *IN THE EXACT SAME WAY* as normal cigarettes. That does NOT mean they are not regulated at all. 2. Only imbeciles believe them to be totally healthy. No manufacturer of them has claimed them to be healthy. The claim (and verifiable fact) is that they are better for you, and for those around you, than a standard smokey cigarette. 3. The FDA, as of the time this article was written, had not released any studies, since there were still questions unanswered (such as how the antifreeze chemical was found in only 1 batch. It's suspicious at best, and reeks of tampering) Now, in summary, let me point out the problems inherent in this posting. Despite only being 2 paragraphs long, it is full of misleading information that hinges on anti-smoking rhetoric. It operates under the arrogant assumption that smokers are moronic and uneducated about the risks of their habit. It also misinforms non-smokers, leading to further vilification of smokers, as if there isn't enough of that already. My conclusion: before writing about a subject, pull your head out of your ass, and actually research said subject.
sweetrae80 sweetrae80 6 years
Quitting smoking is really, really difficult. I quit smoking three days ago and I'm definitely working through this process a day at a time. I think that even if e-cigs have health risks, they are definitely a better alternative to actual smoking. I quit cold turkey, but that's just me. If you haven't smoked, you probably can't understand how difficult it is to quit. I read the posts above, and I see that some of you do understand because of what your family and friends have gone through. So, I guess my point is....people should be given credit for taking steps in the right direction. Smoking e-cigs might not be "perfect," but it's an attempt to quit a very addictive habit. Like for someone who's trying to lose a lot of weight, it's better if they walk even just 5 minutes a day. It's not as good as running a mile, but it's a lot better than sitting on the couch!
Happsmjc Happsmjc 7 years
wow...i've never smoked a day in my life and can honestly say i would never make a statement as bold as stop smoking aids are for pansies (nadia), have you never had or watched someone you love try and fail so many times with this terrible addiction?? how insensitive and ignorant. while i am impressed and happy for you that you (soapbox) were able to stop cold turkey many of my family members have tried that and it didn't work, some for legit reasons (a death in the family triggered their smoking again and everything went down the toilet) or some for not so legit reasons (they just couldn't cut it) so whatever can even in the slightest way help them with this terrible habit...well then I am all for it...maybe one time it will WORK once and for all. (I think it was gum and hotlines that finally helped my dad quit 5 years ago and I thank god every day he is not smoking any more, now i just worry about my mom, aunts, cousins, and brother).
soapbox soapbox 7 years
^^ totally agree with nadia My mom and I both stopped cold turkey. Sure, it was miserable, but it beats tossing even more money away on nicotine patches/gum/other junk. And they have support groups/free hotlines and other safe ways to break the habit.
Nadia24gv Nadia24gv 7 years
Why would they be banned if real ones aren't? Stop smoking aids are for pansies. Just quit or shut up. I don't care if someone smokes. It's their own decision.
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