VAPING ISN’T AS SAFE AS YOU THINK
E-cigarettes have been reported as 95% healthier than actual cigarettes, but the Center of Environmental Health in California is about to take legal action against some of the best known brands of these substitute cigarettes after some testing on the toxic chemicals in them.
A study by the CEH finds that 90% of e-cigarette companies produce at least one brand that produced high levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, both of which cause cancer, birth defects and reduced fertility. The figures show that 50 of 97 products studied contain both of these components in levels that violated the California safety standard, even in the nicotine-free versions of the products. Some of these exceeded the standard by 10 times, and seven of them exceeded it by 100 times.
A CALL TO ACTION
This incident has caused e-cigarette use to come under question, even inspiring an initiative to ban them despite the fact that e-cigarettes remain a healthier alternative to actual cigarettes. While supporters claim that e-cigarettes facilitate quitting, the fact that they contain these cancer-inducing chemicals cannot be ignored. Executive director of CEH, Michael Green, says that the tobacco industry has campaigned many lies about cigarettes, and that e-cigarette companies are now doing the same, and that their studies ineffably show that vaping is not as safe as it has been broadcast. In fact, despite the fact that vaping doesn’t include the inhalation of smoke, they still contribute to the risk of spreading of nicotine from secondhand smoke. Some products studied even contained toxic metals in the vapor.
The CEH is invoking California’s consumer protection law, and this is the second time they’ve commenced legal confrontation with e-cigarette companies. Previously, they’ve engaged in legal confrontation to warn users about the nicotine risks in their products.
FDA REGULATIONS FOR E-CIGARETTES PENDING
Over a year ago, the Food and Drug Administration made a ruling to allow e-cigarettes to be as regulated as traditional tobacco products, but said ruling is still winding its way through the approval process. This latest ordeal has inspired many California counties to implement a smoking ban on these products, both aiding CEH and bringing awareness to citizens about the dangers of e-cigarettes.
