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Krista Prince and Lam Tran

Lori Roger
Contemporary 2301
1 May 2014
Pros and Cons of Electronic Cigarettes
We chose this topic because it directly relates to us as dental professionals and our
patients' overall health. We want to research this topic in order to educate our patients and other
dental professionals on the pros and cons of electronic cigarettes. People across the world have
taken interest in electronic cigarettes as a substitute to the traditional cigarettes. Electronic
cigarettes are a new modern smoking alternative designed to look like cigarettes including the
glowing tip mimicking burning cigarette. Electronic cigarettes popularity is soaring due to its
glamour and its ease of use and purchases. Consumers are under the impressions that electronic
cigarettes are safer than normal cigarettes because they are not inhaling the smokes, tars, and the
thousands of chemicals. Electronic cigarette manufacturers also claim that "the ingredients are
safe (www.Cancer.org, 1), however; the label on the electronic cigarette itself does not list any
ingredients, so consumers dont know whats in them. Because it is a new product, e-cigarettes
do not have the restrictions and regulations made by the FDA that traditional cigarettes have, and
there are not many significant facts and information available. Our research will provide useful
information for practicing dental hygienists and other dental professionals to educate our patients
about the risks and effects of these products.
More and more smokers are making the switch from tobacco cigarettes to electronic
cigarettes in the hope that it is a safer alternative. An electronic cigarette is a battery operated
device using either disposable, replaceable, or rechargeable batteries designed to look and
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behave like a smoked product (Croghan E, 1). The general components of an electronic
cigarette include a liquid nicotine cartridge, an atomizer, a battery, and a sensor. The liquid
nicotine comes in numerous strength and flavorings; which is turned to vapor by an atomizer
then inhaled through an airflow sensor. The disposable e-cig can be bought cheaply at stores and
kiosks at malls without the need for an ID. Replaceable and rechargeable e-cigs are more costly
and comes in many shapes, materials, and styles. They can last a longer period of time without
having to replace the main body. Users will have to change new battery for the replaceable kind
and refill the liquid nicotine for the rechargeable kind, which are sold separately. The electronic
cigarette does not involve combustion and no carbon monoxide is produced, including tar. They
do not have implications of bad breath that cigarettes tend to leave because there is no burning of
tobacco necessary for its operation. In addition, smokers report switching to e- cigarettes to
reduce cigarette consumption, to help them quit, and to relieve tobacco withdrawal symptoms.
Electronic cigarettes also may provide a coping mechanism for habitual smoking gestures
(Polosa R, 2). Other features of the electronic cigarette are that there are no staining or yellowing
effects on the dentition and staining of the fingers and nails. Smokers who switched to electronic
cigarettes state some positive features including, cleaner and fresher breath, absence in odors in
clothing and hair (Polosa R, 7). This product is perceived to be more convenient, accessible,
and modern than cigarettes and comes in a variety of flavors. Although with all of these
outcomes, there are no studies proven of long term side effects of electronic cigarettes except
that "e-cigarettes can cause short-term lung changes" (www.Cancer.org, 1) similar to those
caused by regular cigarettes. There is not many scientific data about the products safety and
effectiveness as quit-smoking aids. Unlike tobacco products, there are no current laws in effect
prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in public places. Because it has recently been introduced, the
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FDA has not yet made regulations regarding if the product is safe. The FDA states that E-
cigarettes may contain ingredients that are known to be toxic to humans and may contain other
ingredients that may not be safe (Leader D, 2). Even though there is no evidence of nicotine
causing cancer, it is a toxin and causes headaches, high blood pressure, and even heart
arrhythmia (www.dailymail.co.uk, 3) and is said to be highly addictive. One recent study done
by the FDA found cancer-causing substances, (www.Cancer.org, 1) in half the e-cigarette
samples that they tested. The FDA also found diethylene glycol, a toxic ingredient found in
antifreeze. Because it is not FDA regulated, it could be a legal gateway substitute for smoking
for underage people. The e-cigarettes manufacturers are not required to submit clinical study data
to the FDA, leading to health concerns for consumers.
Smoking e-cigarettes can alleviate the desire to smoke and is well tolerated to those who
use it. E-cigarettes decreased the consumption of smoking regular cigarettes without causing
withdrawal symptoms that is normally associated with the traditional way of quitting. However,
e-cigarettes are not better nor safer than the traditional tobacco cigarettes because there are no
evidence and data to prove its safety and effectiveness. Until this product is regulated, they are
prohibited from making any health claims about the product itself including claims about
improved health or smoking cessation. With the electronic cigarettes' modern glamour, its ease
of use, and its ability to deliver nicotine without smoke and tar, it is not a wonder the product
popularity soared. But without any scientific data and no FDA laws and regulations, no valid
conclusions can be made if it is a safe product for patient use.


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Outline

We chose this topic because we want to know if electronic cigarettes are a safe alternative and a
smoking cessation tool compared to traditional cigarettes. We hope to learn from our research
and with continuing education, to be able to educate our patients; because that is our goal as
dental hygienists.

Topic: The pros and cons of electronic cigarettes.
Intro
Topic relates to dental hygienists and dental professionals.
Electronic cigarettes are new and modern, but are not regulated.
Extremely popular with consumers because they think the product is safe.
Manufacturers claim the ingredients are safe, however; there are no ingredients listed on
the labels.
It is not FDA-regulated.
Body
Three types - disposable, replaceable, and rechargeable.
Electronic cigarettes work by igniting the liquid nicotine via battery.
Comes in different strengths of nicotine and a wide variety of flavors.
The nicotine vapors are inhaled without the tar and carbon monoxide.
Does not stain teeth and nails. No foul odors.
Electronic cigarettes provide a coping mechanism similar to a normal cigarette and helps
with habit relating to smoking.
However; because it has been recently introduced, there are no scientific data and
evidence proving the safety of the product.
No studies of any risks of long-term side effects related to electronic cigarettes.
FDA released statement saying electronic cigarette may have substances that are toxic to
humans.
Contained diethylene glycol, an anti-freeze agent.
Electronic cigarettes manufacturer are not required to submit any clinical studies to FDA,
leading to health concerns of consumers.
Conclusion
E-cigarettes can relieve the desire to smoke with no withdrawal symptoms.
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Not a safe alternative to regular cigarettes.
With no data or FDA regulations, it is unclear if this product is safe.

We will have a PowerPoint presentation and handouts to use as visual aids. The PowerPoint and
handouts will both contain a brief description and pictures of the electronic cigarettes.



















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ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES

Croghan, Enna. "Electronic cigarettes and young people - Should we be worried?." British Journal of
School nursing 8 (): 394-395. Print.

Forster, Jean. "Young Adults Favorable Perceptions of Snus, Dissolvable Tobacco Products, and
Electronic Cigarettes: Findings From a Focus Group Study." American Journal of Public Health
(): 2088-2093. Print.

Jourdan, Thea. "Yes, it's better than smoking, but that doesn't make your e-cigarette healthy." Mail
Online. Associated Newspapers, 29 Oct. 2013. Web. . <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-
2478527/E-cigarettes-better-smoking-doesnt-make-healthy.html>.

Leader, Deborah. "The Pros and Cons of Electronic Cigarettes." copd.about.com. N.p., 20 July 2013.
Web. . <copd.about.com/od/quittingsmoking/a/e-cigarettes>.

Russo, Cristina, Riccardo Polosa, Pasquale Caponnetto, and Jaymin Morjaria. "Effect of an electronic
nicotine delivery device (e-Cigarette) on smoking reduction and cessation: a prospective 6-month
pilot study." BMC Public Health 11 (): 786. Print.

"What about Electronic Cigarettes? Aren't They Safe?" What about Electronic Cigarettes? Aren't They
Safe? N.p., 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/questionsaboutsmokingtobaccoandhe
alth/questions-about-smoking-tobacco-and-health-e-cigarettes>.