Row breaks out over safety of e-cigarettes

[Royal]

New Zealand researcher Dr Murray Laugesen speaks out about FDA concerns of e-cigarettes. I have quoted this article below.

New Zealand researchers are clashing with US health officials over a new anti-smoking aid, after a world-first trial was run by Auckland University.

The US Food and Drug Administration wants the electronic cigarette banned, but experts here say it does more good than harm.
It looks like the real thing, puffs out a mist that looks like smoke and most importantly, it provides the nicotine kick that smokers crave - but the e-cigarette has one big difference.
"They're not going to die from an e-cigarette," says Dr Murray Laugesen. "But they could die tomorrow from a heart attack due to their smoking."
The FDA, which regulates medical products in the US, isn't so sure. It says its tests found cancer-causing chemicals in e-cigarettes and wants them banned from sale until more studies are done.
"What's remarkable actually is the lack of evidence that these products are any better than standard smoking cessation treatments, and secondly the inadequate testing for their toxins," says Dr Michael Thun, American Cancer Society.
Auckland University has run the first ever trial of the e-cigarettes. It looked at withdrawal symptoms after using one compared to a nicotine inhaler and a regular cigarette.
Researchers can't reveal the results until they are published in a medical journal, but they told 3 News the FDA is getting unnecessarily alarmed over one ingredient - propalene glycol. It is a chemical used in antifreeze, and can be seen drifting across the stage at rock concerts - but there is no evidence it is harmful.
But that's not all.
"The carcinogens that we have found have been in very, very small quantity, just above the level of detection," says Dr Laugesen.
In contrast, every time you take a drag on a cigarette you breathe in 4000 toxins.
At this stage, New Zealanders have to go online and import e-cigarettes, but Dr Laugesen would like to see them more readily available here and says he would not hesitate to recommend e-cigarettes to anyone wanting to quit.
3 News

The entire story including a news video of this article can be found at
3 News > Science-Tech > Story > Row breaks out over safety of e-cigarettes

Furthermore, I would like to add that recently, articles have stated such things as the FDA has found diethylene glycol and ingredient of antifreeze in e-cigarettes cartridges. First off propylene glycol is used in e-cigarettes. I have been told but not yet confirmed that propylene glycol is used in the newer safe antifreeze which is often colored orange or pink to readily distinquish it from the typical green and toxic ethylene glycol antifreeze.

Here is a list of uses for Propylene Glycol that I quote from
Guardian of Eden h2o2 : Contents

PROPYLENE GLYCOL Propylene glycol is used:

• As a moisturizer in medicines, cosmetics, food, toothpaste, mouth wash, and tobacco products
• In electronic cigarettes to make the produced vapor better resemble cigarette smoke
• As a medical and sexual lubricant (A.K.A. "personal lubricant")
• As an emulsification agent in Angostura and orange bitters
• As a solvent for food colors and flavorings
• As a humectant food additive, labeled as E number E1520
• As a carrier in fragrance oils
• As a less-toxic antifreeze
• As a solvent used in mixing photographic chemicals, such as film developers
• In smoke machines to make artificial smoke for use in firefighters' training and theatrical productions
• In hand sanitizers, antibacterial lotions, and saline solutions
• In cryonics
• As a working fluid in hydraulic presses
• As a coolant in liquid cooling systems
• To regulate humidity in a cigar humidor
• As the killing and preserving agent in pitfall traps, usually used to capture ground beetles
• To treat livestock ketosis
• As the main ingredient in deodorant sticks.
• To deice aircraft.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined propylene glycol to be "generally recognized as safe" for use in food, cosmetics, and medicines.

What is propylene glycol? Propylene glycol is a clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid at room temperature. Propylene glycol is practically odorless and tasteless.

Propylene glycol is used to make biodegradable antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats; as an ingredient in termite control; to make polyester compounds; and as solvents in the paint and plastics industries. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food. It is also used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors and flavors.

NOTE: The 0.1% that is not propylene glycol is water.


THE ABOVE COMMENT OF SAFETY IS MADE ONLY AS A GENERAL COMMENT OF PROPYLENE GLYCOL. THE PRODUCT OFFERED IS TECHNICAL GRADE AND IS IN HIGHLY CONCENTRATED CONTENT.