FDA calls E-cigarettes 'Illegal'

William Atkins
Thursday, 23 July 2009 18:20

Science - Health

The FDA and various anti-cigarette organizations are very concerned that E-cigarettes could be attractive to children.

Primarily these organizations feel this way because E-cigaretttes come in flavors (which is attractice to children) and when people (children) use them they look like they are smoking real cigarettes.

Consequently, E-cigarettes have the potential to make children addicted to nicotine and to turn them into cigarette smokers.

These organizations also criticize E-cigarettes because they are advertised as being legal to use in public areas, where regular cigarettes are often banned.

Because of this advertising, these organizations feel it will weaken anti-smoking laws and efforts around the world.

Some of the ingredients in the E-cigarette solution can include: proplylene glycol and nicotine (the two major ingredients), along with glycerol, tobacco essence and other essences, organic acid, anti-oxidation agents, and butyl valerate.

Also included are: isopentyl hexonate, lauryl laurate, benzyl benzoate, methyl octynicate, ethyl heptylate, hexyl hexanoate, geranyl butyrate, menthol, citric acid, water, and alcohol.

Foj instance, benzyl benzoate is an ester of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid. It has the formula C₆H₅CH₂O₂CC₆H₅. Benzyl benzoate is used for a variety of purposes: antiparasitic insecticide to kill lice and mites, in fragrances to improve stablity, as a food additive for artificial flavor, and to treat 'sweet itch' in horses.