Smoke Free Cigarettes

During her 34 years of cigarette smoking, Carolyn Smeaton worked her way to a three-pack-a-day addiction. Over and over again she tried every method she could think of to quit, or at least cut down, including a nicotine patch, nicotine gum and a prescription drug. But these smoking-cessation aids were never enough to totally replace her long-standing habit.

Finally, after seeing an infomercial for an electronic cigarette, Ms. Smeaton decided to give quitting one more try. This device, which claimed to be a less dangerous way to feed her addiction, was quickly and easily purchased online. The battery-powered faux cigarette delivers an odorless dose of nicotine and flavoring without cigarette tar or additives, and produces a vapor mist nearly identical in appearance to tobacco smoke.

“I feel like this could save my life,” said Ms. Smeaton, 47, who, with the help of her e-cigarette, has cut her tobacco smoking to a pack and a half daily.

Thousands of traditional cigarette smokers just like Carolyn have visited web sites and mall kiosks to purchase electronic cigarettes, despite that fact that they are not government-approved and virtually no scientific studies have been done on them. The attraction is further fueled by the fact that, since they produce no smoke, they can be used in workplaces, restaurants, airports, and other places where traditional cigarettes are prohibited.

However, this device has produced a range of negative reactions from the medical community and other anti-smoking groups. With responses varying from calls for methodical testing to suspicion to complete hostility, these opponents claim that any positive results are merely rumor and innuendo, since the actual components of the electronic cigarette have never been subjected to any rigorous clinical studies.

In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has already blocked the import of dozens of shipments of e-cigarettes from entering the country, mostly from China — where they have been manufactured for over five years. “These appear to be unapproved drug device products, and as unapproved products they can’t enter the United States.” said Karen Riley, an FDA spokesperson.

However, enough e-cigarettes continue to make their way into the country that they are still in strong supply in shopping malls and online.

In fact, for $60 to $100 or so, a user can purchase a “starter kit,” which usually includes a battery-powered cigarette, replaceable cartridges, and a charging mechanism. The cartridges typically contain varying levels of nicotine (nicotine-free cartridges are also available), flavoring, and propylene glycol, a liquid whose vaporizing produces the smoke like mist. When the user inhales, the cartridge is heated, producing the smoke-like vapor. Common flavorings include tobacco, menthol and cherry.

Propylene glycol is used in antifreeze, and also to create artificial smoke or fog in theatrical productions. The F.D.A. has classified it as an additive that is “generally recognized as safe” for use in food. But when asked whether inhaling it was safe, Dr. Richard D. Hurt, director of the Nicotine Dependence Center at the Mayo Clinic, said, “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure anyone knows for sure.”

When questioned about electronic cigarettes, Dr. Richard D. Hurt further stated, ”We basically don’t know anything about them. They’ve never been tested for safety or efficacy to help people stop smoking.” Public health officials also worry that the fruit flavors, novelty, and ease of access may attract underage users and non-smokers.

Jonathan P. Winickoff, an associate professor at the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Tobacco Consortium, had this to say regarding e-cigarettes: “It looks like a cigarette and is marketed as a cigarette. There’s nothing that prevents youth from getting addicted to nicotine.”

However, Matt Salmon, a spokesman for the Electronic Cigarette Association, which represents six distributors, said e-cigarettes delivered nothing more than a mixture of nicotine and water vapor and emitted “no carcinogens.” Added Mr Salmon, “It’s a really good alternative for people who smoke tobacco.”

Edwin Schwab, who quit smoking regular cigarettes last year after trying e-cigarettes, likes them so much he has started selling them at a mall kiosk in Providence, R.I.

Mr. Schwab took his e-smoke along when he went out one night, he said, “and when everyone was smoking outside in the cold, I just stood in the warm bar, smoking.”

Incoming search terms:

• smokefree kiosk (1)