Letters to the Editor
Serious health concerns about the electronic (e)-cigarettes Dear Sir, The electronic (e) ‑ cigarette’s use is made legal and its use is in boom and it was marketed as an aid to smoking cessation in India.[1] The role of dental surgeon in the control of smokeless tobacco use in pediatric population was ascertained.[2] There is little information about serious health concerns about the electronic (e) cigarettes as an aid in smoking cessation. E‑cigarette aerosols may contain propylene glycol, glycerol, flavorings, nicotine, and other chemicals.[3] Aerosolized propylene glycol and glycerol may produce mouth and throat irritation and dry cough.[3] The environmental impacts of e‑cigarette manufacturing will depend on factory size and the nicotine extracting method used.[4] It may lead to chemical and aerosol exposure in the indoor environment and residual nicotine and disposal of e‑cigarettes, which contain batteries, will represent another environmental concern.[4] The usual e‑cigarette components include an aerosol generator, a flow sensor, a battery, and a nicotine‑containing solution storage area.[5] The aerosols may contain harmful constituents. Battery explosions and the risks of exposure to the e‑liquid are serious concerns of e‑cigarettes.[5]
aerosols, and environmental emissions Thorakkal Shamim Department of will vary considerably.[7]
Dentistry, Government Taluk Head Quarters Nicotine is also considered as a risk Hospital, Malappuram, factor in the onset and progression of India
periodontal disease and it is wise to take the history of the patient if he is an (e)‑cigarette user to rule out nicotine use.[8] More research is hence needed to reveal the serious health concerns about the electronic (e) cigarettes as an aid in smoking cessation.
REFERENCES 1.
2.
3.
4.
Initially, it was postulated that the e‑cigarettes will deliver less nicotine per puff than traditional cigarettes, and recent clinical studies indicate that the current e‑cigarette smokers will achieve systemic nicotine concentrations similar to those produced from traditional cigarettes. This may be attributed to the fact that the user experience is critically important for nicotine exposure, and may contribute to the products’ ability to support and maintain nicotine dependence.[6] The levels of nicotine, tobacco‑specific nitrosamines, aldehydes, metals, volatile organic compounds, flavors, solvent carriers, and tobacco alkaloids in e‑cigarette refill solutions, cartridges,
For correspondence: Dr. Thorakkal Shamim, “Shangrila” Parappanangadi - 676 303, India. E- mail: shamu3duad@ gmail.com
5.
6.
7. 8.
Savant S, Shetty D, Phansopkar S, Jamkhande A. Electronic cigarettes:Ambiguity and controversies of usage. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2014;24:279‑81. Shamim T. Smokeless tobacco use in pediatric population: What is the role of a Dental Surgeon in India? Lung India 2012;29:305‑6. Callahan‑Lyon P. Electronic cigarettes: Human health effects. Tob Control 2014;23:ii36‑40. Chang H. Research gaps related to the environmental impacts of electronic cigarettes. Tob Control 2014;23:ii54‑8. Brown CJ, Cheng JM. Electronic cigarettes: Product characterisation and design considerations. Tob Control 2014;23 ii4‑10. Schroeder MJ, Hoffman AC.Electronic cigarettes and nicotine clinical pharmacology. Tob Control 2014;23:ii30‑5. Cheng T. Chemical evaluation of electronic cigarettes. Tob Control 2014;23:ii11‑7. Kempton JE. Cigarette use and patient health implications. J Mich Dent Assoc 2014;96:34‑5.
Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - August 2014 - Volume 18 - Issue 2
Access this article online Website: www.ijoem.com DOI: 10.4103/0019-5278.146902 Quick Response Code:
101
Copyright of Indian Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Serious health concerns about the electronic (e)-cigarettes Dear Sir, The electronic (e) ‑ cigarette’s use is made legal and its use is in boom and it was marketed as an aid to smoking cessation in India.[1] The role of dental surgeon in the control of smokeless tobacco use in pediatric population was ascertained.[2] There is little information about serious health concerns about the electronic (e) cigarettes as an aid in smoking cessation. E‑cigarette aerosols may contain propylene glycol, glycerol, flavorings, nicotine, and other chemicals.[3] Aerosolized propylene glycol and glycerol may produce mouth and throat irritation and dry cough.[3] The environmental impacts of e‑cigarette manufacturing will depend on factory size and the nicotine extracting method used.[4] It may lead to chemical and aerosol exposure in the indoor environment and residual nicotine and disposal of e‑cigarettes, which contain batteries, will represent another environmental concern.[4] The usual e‑cigarette components include an aerosol generator, a flow sensor, a battery, and a nicotine‑containing solution storage area.[5] The aerosols may contain harmful constituents. Battery explosions and the risks of exposure to the e‑liquid are serious concerns of e‑cigarettes.[5]
aerosols, and environmental emissions Thorakkal Shamim Department of will vary considerably.[7]
Dentistry, Government Taluk Head Quarters Nicotine is also considered as a risk Hospital, Malappuram, factor in the onset and progression of India
periodontal disease and it is wise to take the history of the patient if he is an (e)‑cigarette user to rule out nicotine use.[8] More research is hence needed to reveal the serious health concerns about the electronic (e) cigarettes as an aid in smoking cessation.
REFERENCES 1.
2.
3.
4.
Initially, it was postulated that the e‑cigarettes will deliver less nicotine per puff than traditional cigarettes, and recent clinical studies indicate that the current e‑cigarette smokers will achieve systemic nicotine concentrations similar to those produced from traditional cigarettes. This may be attributed to the fact that the user experience is critically important for nicotine exposure, and may contribute to the products’ ability to support and maintain nicotine dependence.[6] The levels of nicotine, tobacco‑specific nitrosamines, aldehydes, metals, volatile organic compounds, flavors, solvent carriers, and tobacco alkaloids in e‑cigarette refill solutions, cartridges,
For correspondence: Dr. Thorakkal Shamim, “Shangrila” Parappanangadi - 676 303, India. E- mail: shamu3duad@ gmail.com
5.
6.
7. 8.
Savant S, Shetty D, Phansopkar S, Jamkhande A. Electronic cigarettes:Ambiguity and controversies of usage. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2014;24:279‑81. Shamim T. Smokeless tobacco use in pediatric population: What is the role of a Dental Surgeon in India? Lung India 2012;29:305‑6. Callahan‑Lyon P. Electronic cigarettes: Human health effects. Tob Control 2014;23:ii36‑40. Chang H. Research gaps related to the environmental impacts of electronic cigarettes. Tob Control 2014;23:ii54‑8. Brown CJ, Cheng JM. Electronic cigarettes: Product characterisation and design considerations. Tob Control 2014;23 ii4‑10. Schroeder MJ, Hoffman AC.Electronic cigarettes and nicotine clinical pharmacology. Tob Control 2014;23:ii30‑5. Cheng T. Chemical evaluation of electronic cigarettes. Tob Control 2014;23:ii11‑7. Kempton JE. Cigarette use and patient health implications. J Mich Dent Assoc 2014;96:34‑5.
Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - August 2014 - Volume 18 - Issue 2
Access this article online Website: www.ijoem.com DOI: 10.4103/0019-5278.146902 Quick Response Code:
101
Copyright of Indian Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine is the property of Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
