Added by Laura Clark on April 25, 2014.
Saved under Health, Laura Clark, Smoking
Tags e cigarettes

Since the introduction of E Cigarettes, it has been speculated whether these vapor and nicotine filled mock cigarettes could be a gateway to a real nicotine addiction for children and teens. There has been abundant research conducted, specifically within the last couple of years, about the contents of E Cigarettes, and how they are posing a real threat to kids. Since their rise to popularity, E Cigarettes have begun to be accepted in many restaurants, bars, and other venues since the ban of real cigarettes in most indoor public places nearly four years ago now, making them a more advantageous alternative for smokers. Their popularity also has had to do with the notion that, arguably, they are also a safer alternative for smokers than real cigarettes.

A proverbial “wild west” of varied regulations from state to state on E Cigarettes has caused a disturbance regarding the strictness of regulations on the purchase of the products, most importantly for young people, some of whom are underage. Most notably, on Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it would begin regulating the purchase of E Cigarettes federally. Most states have set an age limit of anywhere from mid teens to early 20s to purchase regular cigarettes, but because of E Cigarettes formerly having no federal system of regulation as regular cigarettes do, many children had easy access to the products.

However, even with the Food and Drug Administration placing regulations on the sales of E Cigarettes this week, children have still not been made completely safe. Sales of the product are intended to be banned from minors, but the Food and Drug Administration is still not cracking down on the sales of the flavored E Cigarettes, which are a favorite among chilren and teens, and still contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance, and a gateway to a lifelong addiction. Experts’ worries about how E Cigarettes and how they are posing a real threat to kids are that children with easy access to fun flavored E Cigarettes will have an easy time getting hooked on to something that they may consider fun now, but that may ultimately become an addictive and expensive habit, and also create a whole new generation of smokers.

As if that was not enough to terrify parents, small children are not out of harm’s way when it comes to E Cigarettes as well. According to a report by Time Magazine at the beginning of this month, since 2010, poison control centers have received a drastic increase in calls to them regarding children who have been exposed to the liquid nicotine from inside the E Cigarettes. Due to the increasing popularity of the E Cigarette, these calls have risen from just one call a month on average in the fall of 2010 to 215 calls a month by the beginning of 2014. Over half of the calls were involving children ages five and under, while 42% of them involved people ages 20 and above. Symptoms of exposure to the liquid nicotine contained inside the E Cigarettes are often nausea, vomiting, and irritation of eyes.

In light of these incidents, more and more studies are being conducted regarding E Cigarettes and how they are posing a real threat to kids. Despite their increasing popularity, many are beginning to become skeptical about whether they are really the safest option to real cigarettes after all.

By Laura Clark

Sources

The New York Times

Daily Mail

National Journal

TIME

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E-cigarettes face tough new restrictions – abc news

Menthol cigarettes brand

By Richard Davies
daviesnow
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Mar 5, 2014 8 38am

(Photo Credit Martina Paraninfi/Getty Images)

Morning Money Memo

The debate over e cigarettes is heating up. Los Angeles has joined New York and Chicago, becoming the latest big city to approve new restrictions. By a 14 0 vote the L.A. City Council outlawed “vaping” inhaling e cigarette vapors at most public places, including parks and some beaches. Council members defeated a proposal to allowing vaping in “bars and nightclubs.

The push for regulations is a threat to the rapidly growing e cigarette industry. Sales of e cigarettes reached $1.5 billion in 2013, according to an analysis by Bloomberg News. Altria, Lorillard and other producers have marketed e cigarettes as a healthier alternative to smoking. But industry critics say they are a gateway for teens and others to try cigarettes.

General Motors’ new CEO Mary Barra is also taking a strong personal interest in consumer safety, leading an internal review of the company’s practices after an embarrassing recall of 1.6 million older small cars. GM last week doubled the number of cars included in a global recall over faulty ignition switches that have been linked to 13 deaths. The company issued a rare apology for the slow response and admitted it knew of the problem a decade ago. Barra says GM’s reputation will be determined by how the company handles the problem.

A bank specializing in bitcoins says it shut down after computer hackers robbed its digital currency. The closure of the Flexcoin bank comes just a week after the collapse of Mt. Gox, a major bitcoin exchange. Mt. Gox also said it was the victim of an electronic heist. Flexcoin says 896 bitcoins were stolen from its online vault. That translates into a loss of about $600,000, based on the current trading value. Unlike banks dealing in government backed currencies, Flexcoin’s losses aren’t covered by deposit insurance.

It was a major relief rally. Stock averages had their best day of the year so far. The S&P opens this morning at a record high after gaining 1 1/2 percent Tuesday. The Nasdaq is at a 14 year high. The belief on financial markets is that the worst of the crisis over Ukraine and the threat of a broader Russian invasion may be over. Asian stocks rose overnight as tensions appeared to ease.

China’s government is promising a series of changes to promote competition and economic growth by opening state run industries to private investment and making banks more market oriented. China’s top economic official says more consumer spending will be encouraged. Chinese authorities say they want to keep this year’s growth target at 7.5 percent.

Richard Davies Business Correspondent ABC News Radio Twitter daviesnow

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