E-Cigarettes

E-Cigarettes are marketed as a safe alternative to smoking and as a way to quit smoking cigarettes. The fact is, there is a lot of unknowns about e-cigarettes, and the makers and marketers of these products want to keep it that way.

E-cigarettes still contain the addictive substance nicotine, which is a pesticide, as well as Diethylene Glycol, a substance used to make anti-freeze.  The limited testing that has been done on e-cigarettes shows that the level of nicotine in each cartridge is often much higher than is listed on the box.  They are not regulated like other products that contain nicotine, so there is no way to tell what is truly in those cartridges. In fact, no e-cigarette maker has submitted their products for safety reviews.

E-cigarettes are not approved devices by the FDA. Because of the inconsistency of nicotine levels, and the inclusion of other harmful substances, e-cigarettes are not a safe way to quit smoking, and are not endorsed by any major health organization.  If you would like to quit smoking, and are interested in using a nicotine replacement therapy, like the patch or gum, contact the Student Health Center or your health care professional.