Get the Facts

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are nicotine-delivery devices.  They are battery operated, but are designed to look and feel like a cigarette.  The nicotine in them is derived from tobacco plants.  The potential user is led to believe that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes and can be used to help stop smoking.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the e-cigarette as a smoking-cessation aid and says it has not been shown to be safe.  Preliminary FDA test of e-cigarettes indicate they contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals.

In addition, e-cigarettes model smoking behavior to youth.  Many of the nicotine solutions come in fruit and candy flavors.  This increases the appeal of e-cigarettes to young people, paving the way for the product to become a “gateway” to tobacco use.

The best advice for the health of tobacco users is to quit using tobacco products of any kind.  For help with quitting visit http://smokefree.gov.

Sources:  National Institutes of Health; North Dakota Department of Health; U.S. Food and Drug Administration