The E-cigarette Industry Still Has Unresolved Issues

According to Michael Eriksen, dean of the School of Public Health at Georgia State University in the United States, many questions remain unresolved. The school is one of 14 research institutions funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to conduct research on vaping devices.

Nicotine is a drug, and toxicology experts say the concentrated liquid nicotine used in vaping devices is highly toxic. Even small amounts can be dangerous, and it can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Eriksen said, “How concentrated is the liquid nicotine? Are there impurities in it? People treat it like candy—what protective measures will vaping device manufacturers put in place?”

Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, believes that whether in traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes, nicotine is highly addictive.

As for how safe e-cigarettes really are, Hamburg believes that depends on the health awareness of the buyer.

“We need tools and regulations to obtain information about e-cigarettes so they can be placed within an appropriate legal framework to protect the health of the American public and potential e-cigarette consumers.” Hamburg believes these new regulations will change the outlook for e-cigarettes.