In case you thought that the war against smoking was in our rear-view mirror, it’s not. On Monday, I had a guest blog on Scientific American concerning electronic cigarettes, which provoked a lot of heat and discussion. I’ll put it up on this blog over the weekend. I learned a lot after posting and from the comments there, which were largely from electronic cigarette advocates. As comments revealed, users of electronic cigarettes claimed that they feel healthier with them, that they are not really smoking, and that substances released into the air are minimal and of no consequence to the environment.
Research on dual use and passive smoking cannot be ignored. When it comes to electronic cigarettes, it is not just the user, but the point of view of passive smokers. My bias is that electronic cigarettes should be regulated by FDA and subjected to the same environmental bans as regular cigarettes. We can’t fly blind.
The smoking wars are still ongoing.
Menthol Scientific Review by FDA
The FDA released a scientific review on menthol this week. As a friend who reread this post before posting said to me: “I remember when I was 12 years old, menthol was really attractive to me.” FDA validates that issue. Its conclusions are concerning:
- Menthol masks tobacco’s harshness;
- Menthol makes it easier to become addicted, fosters greater dependence on nicotine, and increased difficulty quitting;
- Menthol cigarettes account for about 1/3 of all cigarettes sold in the United States, but rates of use are disproportionally high among African Americans, other minority groups, teen smokers, and women;
- Menthol use is linked to lower socio-economic status.
This could be the first step in a ban on menthol cigarettes. FDA invites public comment.
Beware Bills Targeting Minors
Interestingly, since posting, I learned that bills are cropping up, that on the face look as if they would ban electronic cigarette use in minors. Importantly, the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, and Tobacco Free Kids oppose them.
At issue is whether passage of these bills are merely a Trojan horse that will aid in circumventing both product regulation and bans of electronic cigarettes in the same places that regular cigarettes are banned. Earlier this month, Rhode Island’s Governor Chafee vetoed a bill that would have prohibited minors from smoking electronic cigarettes. According to an article in the Providence Journal, Chafee viewed it as an effort by the electronic cigarette industry to stave off further regulation.
Indoor Smoking Bans
New York celebrated its 10-year indoor smoking ban on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. Many U.S. cities limit indoor smoking. Research has shown that the indoor bans have been linked to improvements in public health, including fewer hospital admissions for heart attacks and lung cancer deaths. Extending these bans to electronic cigarettes is the next battleground.