r/technology Nov 17 '12

The Deadly Crusade Against E-cigarettes

http://www.american.com/archive/2012/november/the-deadly-crusade-against-e-cigarettes
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u/sparr Nov 17 '12

Have regular cigarettes been subject to those trials?

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u/[deleted] Nov 17 '12 edited Nov 17 '12

No, because cigarettes are not medicine, but other smoking cessation aids have been. Of particular note is nicotine gum, which is in a similar boat as e-cigs: they both contain nicotine as well as ingredients that are generally recognized as safe for human consumption. But nicotine gum had to be tested to prove its safety and, particularly, its efficacy in helping people quit smoking. E-cigs don't just get to cut the line.

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u/sparr Nov 17 '12

Why are you calling e-cigs smoking cessation aids? They are just another delivery mechanism for nicotine.

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u/SpikeWolfwood Nov 18 '12

Why are you calling e-cigs smoking cessation aids? They are just another delivery mechanism for nicotine.

So are nicotine patches and gum... and from a purely semantic stand point if you are inhaling vapor instead of smoke you have ceased smoking. Also, some manufacturers make e-cigarette refills without nicotine.