Researchers in Greece conducted a study on e-cigarettes which suggests that the use of the devices produces immediate changes in user’s airways.

The small study, led by Dr. Constantine Vardavas from the Center for Global Tobacco of the Harvard School of Public Health, determined that e-cig users showed sign of airway constriction and of inflammation. The scientists infer that that the use of e-cigarettes has “immediate adverse physiologic effects after short term use,” thus raising concerns about the safety of the devices, although it’s unclear what the response to long-term use of e-cigs may be.

Both the FDA and scientists agree that further testing is required to determine if electronic cigarettes should be widely used by consumers. However, many e-cigarette advocates, including physicians, and organizations such as the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) argued that studies like the one conducted by Dr. Vardavas are just “amateur propaganda”. “So what?” asks ACSH’s Dr. Gilbert Ross. “Anything you inhale will affect your airways. Airway constriction is non-specific and has nothing to do with lung problems like emphysema or lung cancer, which are associated with smoking. You can’t assume from this data that there would be any long-term harm. Further, I wonder what tests these folks used to detect airway ‘inflammation,’ which is not reflected in the airway dynamics they measured.”

For the study, Dr. Vardavas and his colleagues provided 30 healthy smokers, e-cigarettes to puff on in order evaluate the effect of the vapor on their airways. Researchers found that after five minutes of use, smokers showed signs if airway constriction – as measured by several types of breathing tests – and of inflammation. It is not known whether that short-term response could translate into health effects in the long run, including lung diseases like emphysema. “More studies on the long-term effects are needed,” Vardavas said. However, “if e-cigarettes trigger airway effects after just a few minutes, that raises concerns about repeated use of the products over time. There are claims that e-cigarettes have no health effects,” Vardavas continued. “But that’s not correct.”

However, Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at Boston University School of Public Health criticized the study. “It failed to compare the acute respiratory effects of electronic cigarette exposure with those of active smoking, which is the most important comparison that needs to be made.” ACSH’s Dr. Josh Bloom also said that, “the moment I saw that they didn’t run the same experiment using actual cigarettes, I knew this was pure (and not even especially well done) junk — an agenda-based report clumsily masquerading as science.”

Dr. Bloom explains that, “the study’s lead researcher recommends that, instead of trying e-cigarettes as a reduced-risk method to quit smoking, smokers should “stick to the methods that are known to work” like gums, patches and drugs. But the ACSH’s Dr. Gilbert Ross criticized this recommendation. “He would have more accurately said, ‘stick to the methods that are known to not work,’ since those currently approved have a ‘success’ rate of only 5 to 10 percent,” said Dr. Ross. “It’s the old ‘quit or die,’ abstinence-only agenda.

Originally posted on V2 Cigs Blog.

Cigarette smokers are invited to participate in the very first World Vaping Day; today, March 22nd. Celebrating the world of electronic cigarettes, World Vaping Day encourages smokers to make the switch from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes.

The organization behind this global event is “The World Vaping Day Project Group”. This group is comprised of:

• ECCA UK (E-Cigarette Consumer Association of the United Kingdom)
• Stelda NL (from the Netherlands)
• CASAA (The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association – USA)
• IGED (from Germany)
• ATACA (Australian Tobacco Alternatives Consumer Association)

World Vaping Day is about celebrating the success of electronic cigarettes. The previous focus of cigarette-smoking cessation products had been ending nicotine dependence through the use of nicotine gums, lozenges and patches. These products, however, ignored the behavioral and social aspects of cigarette addiction. E-cigarettes address smokers’ needs on multiple levels; rather than focusing solely on nicotine. E-cigarettes are a more natural replacement for tobacco cigarettes; providing an alternate source of nicotine and mimicking the familiar behaviors associated with smoking. This ultimately eliminates the user’s exposure to smoke and significantly reduces the health concerns related to smoking.

Originally published on the V2 Cigs Blog.

South Beach Smoke, a leading electronic cigarette company, launched a campaign this week that provides free Premium Electronic Cigarette Starter Kits to active and previously active members of the U.S. Military. They also donated 5% of their Memorial Day e-mail campaign to the United Service Organization (USO) to support active troops and their families.

Their Smoke Free Soldiers campaign was designed to help active and previously active US Military service members to choose a better smoking option. Statistics show that 1/3 of military personnel are active smokers of traditional cigarettes. Additionally, half of the men and women serving in Iraq will return addicted to tobacco products. South Beach Smoke wanted to offer those brave men and women a better way to smoke that doesn’t produce harmful second-hand smoke to friends and family, is more hygienic and studies show are healthier than traditional cigarettes.

South Beach Smoke is offering a $29.99 rebate to all US Service Members active and inactive for their Premium Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit which comes with a rechargeable battery, replaceable cartridges, chargers and more. Additionally, if soldiers choose to go with the more advanced Deluxe Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit, they’ll receive $29.99 off their order. The offer has been effective since June 21st and though the company didn’t comment on when the offer would end, if you are a military service member interested in electronic cigarette, you should visit their website as soon as possible.

As mentioned above, South Beach Smoke also donated 5% of their Memorial Day campaign to the USO to support active troops and their families. The Memorial Day campaign, which ran for two weeks and was marketed across their Facebook Fan Page and E-Mail Newsletter, generated stupendous response as a way to let their customers save money on their products while giving to a good cause.

South Beach Smoke currently has a 4th of July Promotion running with 15% off all items except their Premium Starter Kit by using coupon code: STARS.

E-cigarette smokers have another victory under their belt in Indiana. Delaware County commissioners unanimously approved a smoking ban that excludes electronic cigarettes after a sometimes heated public hearing in which bar owners, medical professionals and cancer survivors spoke out.

The ban, which was proposed by the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Delaware County, includes bars, taverns and any other public building not included in the restaurant-smoking ban of 2006 and will go into effect 30 days after publication.

During the weeks leading up to the hearing,  the commissioners had received support as well as opposition from both residents and business owners of Delaware County and arguments from both sides where vehemently presented by citizens during the hour and 15 minutes of public debate that preceded the vote.

Originally, the smoking ban proposal drafted by the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Delaware County included electronic cigarettes, however, this section of the ordinance was removed last minute  after a discussion between several commissioners and coalition leaders.

Although e-cigarettes had not been a point of contention during the debate, officials and citizens did not feel there were any substantiated health risks associated with the use of the electronic devices and the ordinance was modified accordingly. The e-cigs will be now allowed in places were tobacco smoking is not.

This is another significant victory for the e-cigarette industry, which in addition will serve to help educate the public on the use of  the electronic devices.  Tobacco products and electronic cigarettes should not be placed in the same category and, it seems that in Delaware County, Indiana, officials and residents agree.

Originally posted on the V2 Cigs Blog.

Concerned citizens show up in support of electronic cigarettes. Photo Credit: Marques Hunter

While numerous States and Counties are actively participating in the banning of smoking in public places, some are now addressing the regulation of e‐cigarette use such as in Pierce County, Washington, where the Tacoma‐Pierce County Health Department ruled in favor of using the battery‐powered devices in certain places such as bars and workplaces. This is a small victory for the electronic cigarette industry but a huge step towards educating a public that seems to have so many pre‐conceived notions on the subject of e‐cigarettes.

In Pierce County, numerous people came before the board to provide their point of view on a proposal that would prohibit the sale of e‐cigarettes to minors and would regulate where the devices could be used by individuals. Initially, the proposal banned e‐cigarettes anywhere that state law prohibits the use of real cigarettes or cigars. Citizens protested the proposed ban and many turned up to speak.

JoAnne Barkley of Spanaway stated, “This e-cigarette has been the only thing I’ve tried that has helped me quit smoking cigarettes,” Barkley said. “It’s helping people. Don’t take this away from us.”

The proposal was revised in favor of a compromise and in the end, the board voted 0‐7 on the proposal and e‐cigarette use will be now be allowed in certain places.

Electronic cigarettes are at the center of an on‐going social and legal debate countrywide over whether they should be banned and regulated in the same manner as conventional cigarettes. Although widely different from cigarettes, e‐cigs are sometimes put in the same category as their tobacco counterparts by some states and counties because e‐cigs resemble cigarettes. State officials list confusion over the device’s similarities to cigarettes and concern to the public as their reasoning behind many proposed bans. However, e‐cigarettes do not burn and don’t give off smoke. They are battery-powered metal devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution in a cartridge, creating a water vapor that quickly dissipates.

Electronic cigarette supporters in Lakewood show up in support. Photo credit: Margues Hunter

The ruling of the Tacoma‐Pierce County Health Department shows there is progress being made towards educating people on the use of e‐cigs being a smokeless alternative to tobacco products, which also carries the possibility of lessened health risks. This small victory in an ensuing legal debate allows the e‐cigarette industry to remain cautiously optimistic that more states will follow in the steps of Tacoma‐Pierce County.

Originally posted on the V2 Cigs Blog.