AF surgeon general issues warning about safety of electronic cigarettes.

News > AF surgeon general issues warning about safety of electronic cigarettes.

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• LIEUTENANT GENERAL (DR.) CHARLES B. GREEN

AF surgeon general issues warning about safety of electronic cigarettes.

Posted 8/20/2010

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8/20/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force surgeon general has issued a memo alerting all Airmen about safety concerns regarding electronic cigarettes, a new type of nicotine product.

Also known as "e-cigs," electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that look like conventional cigarettes. The e-cig contains a cartridge filled with nicotine, which is delivered to the user as a vapor. Water vapor is emitted from the end of the device to mimic the appearance of smoke.

"Advertisements claim electronic cigarettes are a healthier way to smoke, but one sample tested by the Food and Drug Administration contained diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze," wrote Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles B. Green, the Air Force surgeon general.

Other samples tested by the FDA contained cancer-causing agents, yet there are no health warnings on these products similar to those seen on conventional cigarette packages, the memo states.

"Manufacturers offer cartridges with decreasing levels of nicotine, with the idea that they can be used to help someone quit smoking," Dr. Green wrote. "No studies have been done to demonstrate the safety or effectiveness of these products as tobacco cessation aids, and they are not approved by the FDA as a drug delivery device. Commanders also need to be aware that the cartridges used in these devices are replaceable and could be used to discreetly deliver substances other than nicotine."

The memo states that due to the nature, appearance and safety concerns of electronic cigarettes, they are considered to be in the same category as tobacco products, the use of which is governed by Air Force Instruction 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force. This new product will be included in the upcoming revision of AFI 40-102 due out this fall.

Comments

8/19/2011 8:15:18 AM ET
I run an e-cig website and just wrote an article on this very subject. If you would like our take on electronic cigarette health concerns find us online. Now please keep in mind I am no surgeon general. Aside from basic EMT I have no medical training. My article is based more on common sense comparing electronic cigarettes to traditional cigarettes. This to me should be a no-brainer. C'mon folks, you can't really believe that inhaling a little vapor that is used for things like fog machines can be more dangerous than smoking cigarettes? There is no ban on FOG machines. One person e-mailed me and said that that's because people won't be using them for extended periods of time only going through a haunted house or a night club once in a great while. Well what about the people who WORK there? They are exposed constantly yet no ban. So why the ban or attempted bans on e-cigarettes? Simple! Tobacco companies don't want them.

John Spagnolo, Blooming Grove NY

12/16/2010 9:07:06 PM ET
I don't understand the ban on e-cigs. I don't smoke but my husband does. He wants to use this method to step down and one day quit all together. I hear on the news that FDA and Tobacco Companies are trying to ban e-cigs. I understand that the local states can't tax it right now. Then maybe it should be sold in stores so it can be taxed. At a price people can afford. If it cost less than the tobacco cigarettes then the ones who want to step down and quit will be able to afford it. My mother died from smoking cigarettes. I don't want second hand smoke around me. People are trying to quit smoking. E- Cigs are helping. Plus there is no odor or smoke for all of the non smokers to deal with. What's the problem? I don't smoke so I am not speaking for myself other than the odor and not having to dealing with the smoke. I don't have to worry about second hand smoke. Really what's the deal with trying to ban it? Kids will smoke no matter what.

Diane Hunter, Washington State

10/27/2010 12:01:06 AM ET
I started using Greensmoke about 2 weeks ago. I haven't had a normal cig since. Also 4 people in my work area have now quit smoking and gone to e-cigs. We all still go to the smoking area and treat it like a normal cig. We had a Msgt. swich to e-cigs about a year ago and his new PT score gained about 15 points. I have noticed my breathing is better and i am sleeping better. Most importantly... I CAN SMELL AGAIN

SRA Sterken Tristan K, Ellsworth AFB

9/15/2010 9:57:31 PM ET
This is all hogwash. My husband and I both traded smoking for vaping and we are a lot healthier and happier. All of his allergies have gone, we got our tastes and smells back, and are breathing and sleeping better. This is ridiculous. Smoking tobacco cigs are a lot more toxic and lethal. I WON'T stop vaping and neither will my husband. The FDA and big tobacco companies are just very unhappy about not getting their cut. By the way, Ethyline glycol is the dangerous glycol in antifreeze. So I call BS. This is bullying and keeping people from the right to live a healthier life while still satisfying out nicotine cravings. The FDA has no substantial information to go off of with the exception of FIVE companies who are not on the up and up. These 5 companies should not be able to taint the entire market as a whole. I agree that using e-cigs inside of the shops and such should not be permitted as it just does not look professional.

Chelle, Louisiana

9/11/2010 1:41:04 PM ET
This is just a prime example of big business with their hands stirring the political pot. Think about it people why do you think the FDA is working so hard to ban the evidently safer alternative to cigarettes also endorsed by many doctors The reason is that the big tobacco companies realize that these ecigs could pulverize their business...so of course they are trying to do whatever they can to shut the ecigs down. What's amazing about this whole thing is that thousands of so called nutritional supplements that are supposed to provide a wide variety of supposedly healthy things are completely unregulated by the FDA. So why the attack on ecigs? Once again this is big business probably in cahoots with the IRS since so much tax revenue could potentially be lost from tobacco tax pulling the strings. I have been a smoker for ten years one pack plus per day and was able to switch completely to ecigs. In just a few short weeks I was breathing better

Lincoln, Portland OR

8/31/2010 12:55:25 PM ET
Diethylene glycol is used to cure tobacco from which the nicotine is often extracted. The FDA tests detected trace amounts which would be consistent with tobacco derived nicotine. The statement that No studies have been done to demonstrate the safety or effectiveness of these products as tobacco cessation aids is incorrect. A survey by CASAA has been conducted and published of 2217 eCig users and shows remarkable results. A comprehensive study of the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as an aid to smoking cessation is under way in New Zealand. Some initial research HAS been done and more is on-going.

Brian, Nashua NH

8/31/2010 12:50:16 PM ET
Wow...the real irony is that I run a leading ecig company and have had no less than 4 AFB locations call and request we have stores or kiosks in their BXPX's.

Aaron, Northwest

8/26/2010 7:23:14 PM ET
Let's just put apples and oranges in a bag and just call it a bag of apples. All these government officials like to stick together even if the truth is not involved.

Mary, Tennessee

8/26/2010 4:47:51 AM ET
I think everyone that traded cigs for vaping should email Daniel Kulund with a personal account of the benefits to vaping over smoking. It is obvious the information they have from the FDA is so incredibly incorrect.

Gary, Washington State

8/24/2010 11:55:59 AM ET
19 year smoker NO MORE. The electronic cigarette was god sent for me. I named mine last hope and now I have faith I will never smoke again. Just the first week I could feel the health improvement. My energy level is higher sense of smell has returned, I sleep better and no longer carry the sense of doom that all smokers are burdened with.I am constantly telling other smokers about it and happy to do so. I wish I had discovered how great these are years ago. My mom was a 43 year smoker and now she vapes zero nicotine Joy510. To all that question what's really going on here do your research and find out where the real power and money is.

Juarl Stewart, Abilene TX

8/23/2010 8:18:04 PM ET
From the FDA summary FDA conducted a preliminary analysis on some samples of electronic cigarettes and components from two leading brands. Due to the variability among products this analysis should not be used to draw conclusions about what substances are or are not present in particular electronic cigarettes or brands of electronic cigarettes.

Bill, Kunsan

8/23/2010 4:43:37 PM ET
I'm not a smoker so I can't speak to the truth of this E-Cig, but I do have a question. If the Air Force really thinks smoking is so bad for you, then why does AAFES still sell it? Maybe this new E-Cig will hurt AAFES pocketbook. Something to think about.

mark eaker, alaska

8/23/2010 4:33:00 PM ET
Jeeze... it would be nice if y'all would put the word limit in the comment rules.

Cody, Texas

8/23/2010 4:16:45 PM ET
I respectfully disagree with Lt Gen Green on this particular issue. I have been tobacco free for two years because of these devices when nothing else worked at all. Welbutrin, Chantix, the patch and Nicorette are all well and good if you're quitting because you don't like smoking, but for those like me who like the activity this should at least be an option. As for the FDA study, they tested eight samples, one cartridge each acquired from two companies both of whom import their products from China. Anyone can see that this sample size is far too small to pass judgment on an entire industry. The fluid I use is manufactured entirely in the U.S. from food-grade and lab-grade components under strict laboratory conditions.Yes it's true that No studies have been done to demonstrate the safety or effectiveness of these products as tobacco cessation aids and they are not approved by the FDA as a drug delivery device but, it's also true that no studies have been done that indicate o

Cody, Texas

8/23/2010 3:24:47 PM ET
The FDA has yet to do a detailed study of E cigs. It is not diethylene glycol that is used in the manufacturing of the nicotine liquid, it is in fact propylene glycol which is a common ingredient found in many kitchens and used to make icings and baked goods. It is also usda and usp approved. Even if it were diethylene glycol....that is the substance manufacturers of anti freeze switched to in order to make it non-toxic when animals started dying from drinking it. Either way, we all know real cigarettes cause cancer and have thousands of harmfull chemicals and yet these are sold everywhere you go. Sounds to me like the FDA wants a cut of the profits.

Tyler, Osan AB

8/23/2010 9:20:03 AM ET
Please do more research on this topic. I smoked over a pack a day for 18 years and quit in 1 day with these. There is a lot of 'not completely accurate' information in here....but one sample tested by the Food and Drug Administration contained diethylene glycol - this was 1 out of how many? Also this was taken from a second rate foreign maker that has since closed....Commanders also need to be aware that the cartridges used in these devices are replaceable and could be used to discreetly deliver substances other than nicotine. - Really? Well, what about my water bottle...it could have vodka in it. Or my cigar it could have marajuana in it. This is a very inflamatory statement meant only to raise false concern over a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. I don't think much research went into this. You would see that the health benefits are real. I know that within a week of starting to vape and not smoke, I could tell a huge difference.

Jeff P, Fort Gordon

8/23/2010 2:19:03 AM ET
This has been an ongoing controversy since e-cigs were first introduced. Here is the deal - I've quit smoking, yet I still get my nicotine fix thanks to e-cigs. THERE IS NO TOBACCO IN E-CIGS. I urge the board to rethink the decision to include people that have made the switch to this breakthrough as tobacco users. Goes back to the age old saying of not judging a book by its cover. If you write e-cigs into the AFI they should have their own section. The supposed Smoke that is exhaled is in fact not smoke. It is a harmless water vapor that leaves no smokey residue or acrid smell. There is no fire or ignition source its all electronic. I have yet to hear any stories of injuries due to short circuiting or burns. You need proof that it is a succesful smoking cessation aid Visit any of the countless forums on e-cigs. It won't take any time flat to see countless stories of long time smokers that have quit cold turkey.

SrA Matthew Lee, Osan AB

8/22/2010 1:11:33 PM ET
I can't believe how twisted the facts get on this... yes PG is found in anti-freeze it's also found in inhalers smoke machines and a lot of others products because the FDA have passed it as safe for human consumption. Also, out of all the units tested they only found carcinogens in 2 of the very cheapest products and they were at far lower levels than in a cigarette. No matter what cigarette brand you choose, they are all heavily laden with carcinogens and definitely kill you. The real story is why governments aren't doing more to test these devices properly as they are in truth a lot more successful in getting people to quit than anything else on the market. The main reason for them not pushing through testing on a possible mass life saving device is the economy of smoking and the loss of revenue the governments might lose. Does anybody really believe the health of its citizens is top priority here? If it were they would be banning cigarettes entirely.

aclogan, UK

8/22/2010 10:35:06 AM ET
Diethylene glycol is a chemical used to keep tobacco moist. The amount FDA found is well below the Minimal Risk Level. An electronic cigarette cartridge contains no more tobacco-specific nitrosamines TSNAs than an FDA-approved nicotine patch about 8 nanograms. In contrast a pack of Marlboros contains a whopping 110000 nanograms of TSNAs. The FDA is wrong, dead wrong, to mislead the public into believing ecigarettes are harmful. Countless people have continued inhaling deadly tobacco smoke because of the FDAs disinformation campaign. Surveys of consumers show that 79 percent have completely replaced tobacco smoking with using an ecigarette and 90 percent report improved health. Dr. Green should track down all the facts and adjust policy accordingly.

Elaine Keller, Springfield VA

8/21/2010 2:48:15 PM ET
Albeit E Cigarettes need more oversight, a method of ensuring quality control which the FDA can implement simply by classifying them as a tobacco product, no one can reasonably argue that E Cigarettes are not less harmful than smoking. The preponderance of harm associated with smoking is in the smoke. E Cigarettes do not burn or otherwise produce smoke. E Cigarettes have been on the market worldwide going on seven years now millions of consumers and not a single report of serious illness or injury have been connected with them. People who have made the switch to E Cigarettes report improvements in their health particularly their ability to breathe. I would say that is compelling evidence that E Cigarettes are safer than smoking. Numerous studies including the FDA one indicate E Cigarettes do not produce the myriad of byproducts many carcinogenic associated with combustion only trace amounts of carcinogenic substances were found in some cartridges tested in concentrations simil

Bob, Anchorage AK

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