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Is there any information about electronic cigarettes please, are they at all harmful?

emmo profile image
emmo
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emmo
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Lynne1955 profile image
Lynne1955

I can't provide a link, but as far as I am aware, there has been very little research into the safety of these and some countries have completely banned them because of that.

Part of the problem is they are normally made in China which has a poor safety record for products.

I'm sure someone will have more information about them.

Lynne x

emmo profile image
emmo in reply toLynne1955

Thanks Lynne for your reply. This is where this site is so good for us to get further information.

Emmo

The 'official' line from the European Respiratory Society on this is as follows ;

European Respiratory Society statement on E-cigarettes and emerging products

(February 2012)

The European Respiratory Society, ERS is opposed to the use of all tobacco and unapproved nicotine delivery products such as cigarettes, chewable tobacco, and emerging products that include electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), snus, dissolvable tobacco and waterpipes.

In response to the successful increase in tobacco-free policies, the tobacco industry has developed these new products, allowing consumers to obtain nicotine without the use of a cigarette.1 In many cases, these new products are claimed and/or perceived to be 'harm reducing' or safe alternatives to conventional cigarettes; however, there is no reliable science to substantiate this claim.2 Rather, available research suggests that these products pose a significant health risk to citizens, placing them at continued high risk for disease and negative health outcomes. 3,4

There is a growing concern about the potential health risks associated with e-cig usage and exposure. A recent sample of the product was found to contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze.5 These concerns can only be adequately addressed by proper evaluation and regulation by the appropriate national and European authorities.

Therefore, based on current information and available research, ERS does not classify e-cigs as a safe alternative to smoking nor does it consider them an approved tobacco cessation tool or suitable for use in places where conventional cigarette smoking is prohibited. ERS recommends following effective smoking cessation treatment guidelines based on clinical evidence which do not advocate the use of such products.

In general, ERS subscribes to the medical principle of primum non nocere and holds that Tobacco users "should not trade one carcinogenic product for another..."6

emmo profile image
emmo in reply to

Many thanks Parvati, this is just what I wanted, some hard facts. Although I gave up smoking nine months ago I still found it hard to cope and found these, I will just now have to give them up. Many thanks

Emmo

fishtail profile image
fishtail

so glad of this information,have just come back from shopping and tried quite afew chemists,intending to buy my husband the E,cigs product.Not one shop were selling them.I came on-line and was going to ask the question "where to get them from".After the information from parvati,I will NOT be buying this product.My old man will be going to see the practise nurse for smoke cesstation.Thank you Parvati.

Hi fishtail,

Just want to stress that the above is just the official line. I do know that many people see the e cigs as the lesser of two evils if they cannot quit - though I guess it is also a way of putting off quitting. I have never used them, though I can honestly say I was always terrified of quitting and expected it to be a far worse ordeal than it actually was. The answer for me was 'Champix' tablets from the GP. Over the first couple of weeks I totally lost my desire to smoke - amazing! Good luck with whatever road your husband chooses - oh, and I also had the advantage of not having any other smokers around me in my daily life. I don't think I would have succeeded had the temptation been around me then, although I don't have any problem resisting nowadays.

libby7827 profile image
libby7827

Noticed the other day that Tesco are selling these

tesco.com/groceries/Product...

I wouldn't imagine they would sell them if they were harmful. I read an article a while ago where a doctor said that anything is better than the 100's of harmful chemicals you inhale from tobacco. Isn't it mad, the thing we crave, nicotine, isn't harmful in the small quantity smoked (although it is actually a poison), it's the rest of the rubbish that is harmful. I used nicotine lozenges to give up and they did the trick - 3 years now. Libby x

Gordon57 profile image
Gordon57

The only good things I've seen about the e-cigs is that they don't burn holes in your clothing if the end drops off.

Apart from that, it's been pointed out that they are currently an unknown quantity when it comes to their content. So many people have been told they have COPD through inhaling the smoke from ciggies, Why risk your health on something else you have to inhale that big companies are making big money from ? It's only a matter of time before they are heavily taxed and someone insists on a warning being placed on the packaging. In particular, watch out for cheap imports - who knows what they contain.

NHS Smokefree may offer prescription nicotine replacement items, but I'm not aware of them offering e-cigs as a suitable method for giving up smoking. Check out their info at smokefree.nhs.uk/

Mmike110 profile image
Mmike110

Hi, my RNS said in my case the water vapour that makes smoke, when inhaled could cause dampness in the lungs.

Sorry if I'm not making much sense, I've had my medication and its gone to my head lol.

Mike x

Gordon57 profile image
Gordon57 in reply toMmike110

Mike, you mean you could be suffering from rising damp ? ;)

pisces43 profile image
pisces43

I was recommended to use e-cigs by a doctor on the respiratory ward while I was in hospital!! I have been using the 10motives from Tesco with the approval of my respiratory nurse and found them to be extremely helpful - haven't had a "real" cigarette for over a month now. I guess it's a personal choice between two evils in the end?

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

hi

just been reading morning paper.

quote

two men who launched the Intellicig electronic ciggie have sold out to giant British American tobacco for £50 million. David Newns and Chris Lord founded their Manchester based company CN creative in 2008.

unquote

Gordon57 profile image
Gordon57 in reply tostone-UK

Read more at menmedia.co.uk/manchesterev...

or

cncbio.com/uncategorized/cn...

Wonder how many people making a New Year's Resolution to 'give up the ciggies' will include the "e-" as well ?

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