By now, you've probably seen them being smoked on the subway or in a bar -- those shiny, futuristic, battery-operated nicotine inhalers[1] better know as electronic cigarettes that are apparently all the rage[2] these days. Big Tobacco companies have taken notice, too, and are determined to cash in[3] on the industry, which is expected to bring in $1.7 billion in U.S. sales this year[4] alone, according to The New York Times.
While much is still unknown about the health risks of e-cigarettes[5] , here’s what we do know: E-cigarettes are addicting[6] . And while they may not be as harmful as tobacco cigarettes[7] , critics like the British Medical Association and the World Health Organisation are wary of the trend and warn of the dangers that may be associated with the smoking devices.
Here's what we do know about e-cigarettes:
1. E-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals.
A 2009 FDA analysis[8] of e-cigarettes from two leading brands found that the samples contained carcinogens and other hazardous chemicals, including diethylene glycol, which is found in antifreeze. Last year, a report from Greek researchers found that using e-cigarettes increased breathing difficulty [9] in both smokers and non-smokers, according to Medical News Today.
2. Kids and teens can buy them.
Unlike other tobacco products, e-cigarettes can be sold to minors[10] in many places throughout the country. The smoking devices can also be bought legally online[11] , according to the Wall Street Journal.
3. While cigarette companies[12] say they don't market to kids, e-cigarettes come in flavors like cherry, strawberry, vanilla[13] and cookies and cream milkshake[14] .
4. Laws regulating cigarette ads don't yet apply to e-cigarettes.
TV commercials for cigarettes may be banned, but ones for e-cigarettes sure aren't[15] , Adage points out. (The above ad for Blu eCigs features Jenny McCarthy.)
5. And e-cigarette companies are spending a TON on advertising.
Industry advertising spending increased to $20.8 million in 2012 from just $2.7 million in 2010[16] , according to The New York Times.
6. E-cigarettes can be used in many places where smoking is banned.
Even though some studies suggest that secondhand vapor poses health risks[17] , many lawmakers have yet to determine[18] whether smoking rules apply to e-cigarettes, according to USA Today.
7. People think e-cigarettes can help them quit smoking.
Research published in the American Journal of Public Health indicates that 53 percent of young adults[19] in the U.S. who have heard of e-cigarettes believe they are healthier than traditional cigarettes and 45 percent[20] believe they could help them quit smoking -- though there is little evidence to support[21] either of these claims.
8. E-cigarettes aren't taxed like traditional tobacco products[22] .
Even though cigarette consumption fell significantly[23] as taxes went up.
9. Despite unknown health consequences, e-cigarettes are poised to make inroads with a new generation of young people.
Half of young adults[24] say they would try e-cigarettes if a friend offered them one, according a study cited by USA Today.
Also on HuffPost:
References
- ^ battery-operated nicotine inhalers (www.huffingtonpost.com)
- ^ apparently all the rage (www.theatlanticwire.com)
- ^ are determined to cash in (www.bloomberg.com)
- ^ $1.7 billion in U.S. sales this year (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ health risks of e-cigarettes (www.bloomberg.com)
- ^ addicting (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ harmful as tobacco cigarettes (www.huffingtonpost.com)
- ^ FDA analysis (www.fda.gov)
- ^ increased breathing difficulty (www.medicalnewstoday.com)
- ^ minors (www.bostonglobe.com)
- ^ bought legally online (online.wsj.com)
- ^ cigarette companies (health.usnews.com)
- ^ cherry, strawberry, vanilla (www.myfoxdc.com)
- ^ cookies and cream milkshake (www.bostonglobe.com)
- ^ sure aren't (adage.com)
- ^ to $20.8 million in 2012 from just $2.7 million in 2010 (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ secondhand vapor poses health risks (usatoday30.usatoday.com)
- ^ have yet to determine (www.usatoday.com)
- ^ 53 percent of young adults (ajph.aphapublications.org)
- ^ 45 percent (ajph.aphapublications.org)
- ^ ittle evidence to support (www.huffingtonpost.com)
- ^ taxed like traditional tobacco products (www.businessweek.com)
- ^ fell significantly (www.washingtonpost.com)
- ^ Half of young adults (usatoday30.usatoday.com)
- ^ Send us a tip (www.huffingtonpost.com)
- ^ Send us a photo or video (www.huffingtonpost.com)
- ^ Suggest a correction (www.huffingtonpost.com)
0 comments:
Post a Comment