E-cigarettes banned in WHO-ville

As it turns out, the World Health Organization (WHO) isn't condoning e-cigarette products -- shockingly -- as some manufacturers might like you to believe. In fact, the lawsuit flag is being waved at a few companies who brazenly plastered the organization's name and logo across promotional material, suggesting an endorsement of the product. The WHO's Douglas Bettcher asserts that the product is untested as a nicotine replacement therapy, stating, "If the marketers of the electronic cigarette want to help smokers quit, then they need to conduct clinical studies and toxicity analyses." So while e-cigs might not carry the same carcinogenic risks as traditional smoking, there are still plenty of health issues surrounding liquid nicotine and all the nasty additives it's served in... and the WHO isn't about to let you forget it.

[Via PhysOrg]

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 9th 2008 11:53AM]

I can't disagree with Jeremy regarding how these 'drug addicts' should just muster up the strength to quit. Nor can I not find the posters stating how Chantix and these new eCigs are helping them cut back. Granted I know the drug works cause I used to smoke and have done research, but if there's anything I've learned by googling, and by quitting myself, is that the only way you're going to be able to quit completely is by your own will and desire.

I despise drugs like Chantix because you're essentially replacing one drug imbalance with another. Sure, some might say that certain antidepressants has the same effect. In fact a couple of friends of mine quit the same way, but alas, the only way you're going to have to do this is by doing what Jeremy has stated above.

Now quitting cold turkey only works for certain drugs. But if research and studies have shown anything, it is the most effective way to quit is by going cold turkey.

The following link is quite interesting, http://whyquit.com/pr/082506.html Actually, the whole website is pretty interesting.

I agree with other posters though, he has no idea what it means to be addicted to anything.

[edicius Posted Sep 20th 2008 9:52PM]

There are times I miss smoking. Would give me a consistent reason to excuse myself from social gatherings so I could go outside and light up. Now I'm four years smoke free. Glad I'm not spending the money on them anymore, but damn it if I wouldn't feel more at ease if I had a smoke right now.

When they create cigs that don't smell and don't cause health problems, but have the same relaxing effect as the cancer sticks we have now, get back to me. I'd be all over those.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2008 10:22PM]

Perhaps we should launch a campaign where "i'm just gonna step outside for some fresh air" is the new coolness. This use of smoking as an excuse to excuse yourself or (more so) to mingle with people is its only justifiable attribute. The only temptation drawing me back.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2008 12:13PM]

"When they create cigs that don't smell and don't cause health problems, but have the same relaxing effect as the cancer sticks we have now, get back to me. I'd be all over those."

Four words:
Portable Vaporizer
Mary Jane

Problem solved.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2008 12:17AM]

I dont smoke but these are so damn awesome i just may start

[Harrison Posted Sep 21st 2008 1:20AM]

I wonder if you can theoretically hack one.

With that said,

Can you smoke Crysis?

[peterbetos Posted Sep 21st 2008 2:52AM]

I'm not sure with that, but you can get 'smoked' when you played Crysis poorly.. :P

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2008 3:32AM]

E-cigarettes.

Bringing smoking into the 21st Century

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2008 12:47PM]

Eddy wrote: "When they create cigs that don't smell and don't cause health problems, but have the same relaxing effect as the cancer sticks we have now, get back to me. I'd be all over those."

That's essentially what an e-Cigarette is. A way of enjoying nicotine without inhaling the tar or carcinogens, or other toxic componants of tobacco smoke. There's no tobacco, no smoke, no smell, no ashes, no butts. For anyone interested in REAL information on e-cigs, go to www.e-cigarette-forum.com.

[THJ Posted Sep 21st 2008 1:38PM]

So I could smoke one of these at my desk at work? Are they that smokeless? How do you purchase these? Online?

[platinumbraces Posted Sep 21st 2008 3:59PM]

Yeah, actually there are students in my school who smoke them on the front row during math lessons - no problem at all!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2008 4:33PM]

It's a pleasant surprise to see this coming more out in the open (dubious event though). It seems that all smokers that I've talked to about it (or have actually tried mine, those being mostly close friends), have been really receptive, since they understand the discomfort you are subjected to by the addiction and by the militant (rightly so, considering second hand smoke) non-smokers. I do see a measure of disdain from non-smokers, usually a 'why not quit for good?' reply. For those, even if I take the e-cig apart and explain how it compares to a real cigarette chemically and process-wise, the attitude doesn't change - it's like trying to justify my flawed personality. So I stopped explaining for the most part. I answer if I'm asked, but mainly I just try to be discreet about it. Sometimes if I drop it there might be some 420 joke I have to smile at, and move on. AFAIK this is as harmless to others as chewing gum, and even if it might be annoying, it should be nothing to be offended about. Nicotine is still bad for you, and it should still be regulated (absolutely, considering the patent is held by a Chinese company), but smoking is also an expensive and time-consuming addiction, and a lot of people could have more productive lives if at least those two things would change. Anyways, even some choose to see it only in terms of health benefits, it's still something to be encouraged when compared to smoking. This should be seen as a good thing if it passes past the tobacco industry.

I know this was a trademark issue, but e-cig news don't show up often on them internets.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2008 10:31PM]

THJ, it doesn't produce any actual smoke at all. It produces a vapor which is supposed to look like smoke, but which doesn't smell, and quickly evaporates.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 22nd 2008 12:21AM]

I've been trying out an e-cigarette after quitting a few times previously, it's similar to smoking but with weird differences. One really obvious one is that you don't stink afterwards and you can't accidentally set things on fire. Overall it is probably not great for one's health but has only a few active ingredients (basically it's a tiny smoke machine with nicotine added). Hoping it doesn't turn out to be as dangerous as regular cigs...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 30th 2008 1:03AM]

i got one e-cigar no.1 for BestEcig, it's like really cigar ,it's very good, and i like it.