Why People Buy Electronic Cigarettes to Quit Smoking

Everyday more smokers hear about the Electronic cigarette, especially ones trying to quit smoking. Many people buy electronic cigarettes to help them quit smoking. This is very interesting because the company’s who sell e-cigarettes cannot market the product as a way to quit smoking. So the question is why do people think an electronic cigarette will help them quit smoking?

The main reasons people feel that an e-cigarette can help them quit is because it is pretty easy for the consumer to realize that an e-cigarette must be healthier than tobacco cigarettes. Consumers know that they are using a product that will kill them, so they are happy to replace it with a different product that has about 4,000 less chemicals. Even when the FDA publishing negative reports about the e-cigarette the consumer’s still would rather use a product that is un-tested and may have a few problems over one that they know will kill them.

So Can Electronic Cigarettes help you quit smoking?

The short answer is maybe. The official answer is  ”no” since e-cigarettes need more testing before they can be considered a quit smoking product, at least by our government. The long answer is that we don’t know and until there is some solid tests we will never know.

My opinion is that you should not buy a electronic cigarette to quit smoking cigarettes, you should buy a electronic cigarette to quit smoking tobacco. Forget about quitting nicotine or the act of smoking, right now just try to stop smoking tobacco products.

Here is what the FDA has to say about E-Cigarettes:

Q: What are electronic cigarettes?

A: Electronic cigarettes are products designed to deliver nicotine or other substances to a user in the form of a vapor. Typically, they are composed of a rechargeable, battery-operated heating element, a replaceable cartridge that may contain nicotine or other chemicals, and an atomizer that, when heated, converts the contents of the cartridge into a vapor. This vapor can then be inhaled by the user. These products are often made to look like such products as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. They are also sometimes made to look like everyday items such as pens and USB memory sticks, for people who wish to use the product without others noticing.

Q: What concerns does FDA have regarding electronic cigarettes?

A: FDA has not evaluated any e-cigarettes for safety or effectiveness. When FDA conducted limited laboratory studies of certain samples, FDA found significant quality issues that indicate that quality control processes used to manufacture these products are substandard or non-existent. FDA found that cartridges labeled as containing no nicotine contained nicotine and that three different electronic cigarette cartridges with the same label emitted a markedly different amount of nicotine with each puff. Experts have also raised concerns that the marketing of products such as e-cigarettes can increase nicotine addiction among young people and may lead kids to try other tobacco products. Visit FDA’s Electronic Cigarettes webpage³ for additional information.

Q: What action did FDA take today on electronic cigarettes?

A: FDA issued warning letters to five distributors of electronic cigarettes for violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). These violations included unsubstantiated claims and poor manufacturing practices.

Q: Would it be possible for an electronic cigarette to receive FDA approval?

A: Yes. FDA issued a letter to the Electronic Cigarette Association inviting electronic cigarette firms to work in cooperation with the agency toward the goal of assuring that electronic cigarettes sold in the United States are lawfully marketed. The agency intends to regulate electronic cigarettes and related products in a manner consistent with its mission of protecting the public health.

Q: What products should people who want to quit smoking use?

A: There are a number of FDA-approved smoking cessation aids, including nicotine gum, nicotine skin patches, nicotine lozenges, nicotine oral inhaled products, and nicotine nasal spray that are available for smokers to use to reduce their dependence on nicotine. Free help is available to all smokers who want to quit at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or by visiting www.smokefree.gov.