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Electronic cigarette

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Two electronic cigarette models. From top down: RN4072 "pen-style" and CT-M401. A spare detached battery is also shown below each model.
A DSE-901 electronic cigarette exhibiting another common design, that of an ordinary cigarette.

An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette or personal vaporizer, is a battery-powered device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine by way of a vaporized solution. It is an alternative to smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. In addition to purported nicotine delivery,[1] this vapor also provides a flavor and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no tobacco, smoke, or combustion is actually involved in its operation.

An electronic cigarette usually takes the form of some manner of elongated tube, though many are designed to resemble the outward appearance of real smoking products, like cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Another common design is the "pen-style", so named for its visual resemblance to a ballpoint pen. Most electronic cigarettes are reusable devices with replaceable and refillable parts. A number of disposable electronic cigarettes have also been developed.

Operation

In automatic models, when a user inhales through the device, air flow is detected by a sensor, which activates a heating element that vaporizes a nicotine solution stored in the mouthpiece.[2] On manual models, the user must depress a button to activate the heating element to produce vapor which is then inhaled by the user. On most models an LED on the opposite end of the device is also activated during inhalation, which serves as an indicator of use. The LED color is usually a matter of preference, as the most widely used electronic cigarettes come with options for many different ones.

Components

A disassembled cigarette-shaped electronic cigarette.
A. LED light cover
B. battery (also houses circuitry)
C. atomizer (heating element)
D. cartridge (mouthpiece).

While electronic cigarettes take many forms, they each generally employ the same basic components: a mouthpiece, a heating element, a rechargeable battery, and various electronic circuits.

Mouthpiece ("cartridge")

The mouthpiece is a small disposable plastic cup-like piece affixed to the end of the tube. Inside the mouthpiece is a smaller plastic cup which holds an absorbent material that is saturated with a flavored liquid solution that may contain nicotine.[3] This inner cup is made such that air is able to flow around it and through a hole in the end of the outer piece; this is necessary for the device to provide the ability for suction to move the vapor into the user's mouth. The mouthpiece is referred to in the industry as a "cartridge". When the liquid in the cartridge has been depleted, it can either be refilled by the user or replaced with another pre-filled cartridge.

‎ As an alternative to the traditional plastic mouthpiece, some manufacturers have created dedicated mouthpieces just for dripping, such as Super-T manufacturing's stainless steel T-Tip.

Another alternative to using cartridges is the direct dripping method. By removing the absorbent material, one is able to simply remove the plastic mouthpiece and drip several drops of e-liquid directly onto the atomizer bridge. To further ease dripping, some manufacturers have created specialty mouthpieces made of stainless steel or plastic that are intended just for dripping and do not require removal each time you drip.



Heating element ("atomizer")

The heating element serves to vaporize the liquid in the mouthpiece so that it can be inhaled. This component is referred to in the industry as an "atomizer". Some models combine an atomizer and pre-filled cartridge into one disposable component referred to as a "cartomizer".

Battery and electronics

An electronic cigarette battery connected to a USB charger.

Most electronic cigarettes employ a lithium-ion rechargeable battery to power the heating element. Battery life varies depending on the battery type and size, frequency of use, and operating environment. Many different battery charger types are available, such as wall outlet, car, and USB chargers. The battery is generally the largest component of an electronic cigarette.

Some electronic cigarettes employ an electronic airflow sensor to automatically activate the heating element upon inhalation, while other models require the user to press a button while inhaling. Various other electronic circuits are usually employed as well, such as a timed cutoff switch to prevent overheating and a colored LED to signal activation of the device.

Some electronic cigarettes, such as Super-T Manufacturing's Precise, utilize an all mechanical, wireless and solderless design to ensure reliability.

Traditionally, electronic cigarettes have utilized an electronic means of activation. This involved the use of small tactile switches, vacuum switches and the related wiring and electronics necessary to run them. Users soon discovered these could be unreliable. With the advent of "mods", several manufacturer's have created all mechanical electronic cigarettes that eliminate the use of any wiring, solder or electronics in an effort to improve switch reliability.

A slightly larger electronic cigarette like the ProVape-1, also called a "mod", uses common rechargeable batteries and offers the user longer performance due to its increased battery capacity.

While some larger electronic cigarette models employ a user-replaceable standard-size battery cell, many models are too small to house a standard-size cell and instead require a proprietary component made by the electronic cigarette manufacturer. For those models, the battery and electronic components are housed within a single replaceable part, which is still generally referred to in the industry simply as the "battery".

File:Janty ego e-cig.jpg
The Janty eGo is a perfect example of a custom designed, and mass manufactured e-cigarette that uses a proprietary battery in order to keep the overall size down, while still upholding an attractive appearance.
File:Jantystick e-cig.jpg
The Jantystick V3 utilizes onboard USB charging, meaning that it is possible to simply plug in your e-cigarette to a computer in order to charge, or to vape while charging

Nicotine solution

Nicotine solutions sold separately for use in refillable cartridges are sometimes referred to as "e-liquid" or "e-juice", and commonly contain some amount of flavoring, with several different flavors available. They consist of nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol (PG) and/or glycerin (glycerol). Both PG and glycerin are common food additives.

Solutions are also available in differing nicotine concentrations, to let the user decide the amount of nicotine to be taken in. Concentrations range from low and midrange doses (6-8mg/ml and 10-14mg/ml respectively), to high and extra-high doses (16-18mg/ml and 20-54mg/ml respectively). The concentration ratings are often printed at the e-liquid bottle or cartridge, although the standard notation "mg/ml" often gets abbreviated to just "mg". Solutions are also available that contain no nicotine at all.[2]

Some flavor varieties attempt to resemble traditional cigarette types, such as regular tobacco and menthol, and some even attempt to mimic specific cigarette brands, such as Marlboro or Camel. Fruit and other flavors are also available, such as vanilla, caramel, and coffee.

Below are some of the different liquid solution compositions available: [4][5]

Substance Recipe 1 Recipe 2 Recipe 3 Recipe 4 Recipe 5
Propylene glycol 85% 80% 90% 80% <65%
Nicotine 6% 4% 2% 0.1% <3%
Glycerol 2% 5% - 5% <20%
Tobacco essence - 4% 4.5% 1% <5%
Essence 2% - 1% 1% <5%
Organic acid 1% - - 2% <1%
Anti-oxidation agent 1% - - - -
Butyl valerate - 1% - - -
Isopentyl hexonate - 1% - - -
Lauryl laurate - 0.6% - - -
Benzyl benzoate - 0.4% - - -
Methyl octynicate - 0–5% - - -
Ethyl heptylate - 0.2% - - -
Hexyl hexanoate - 0.3% - - -
Geranyl butyrate - 2% - - -
Menthol - 0.5% - - -
Citric acid - 0.5% 2.5% - -
Water - - - 2.9% <10%
Alcohol - - - 8% -
2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine - - - - <1%
2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine - - - - <1%
2,3-Dimethylpyrazine - - - - <1%
Acetylpyrazine - - - - <1%
Terpineol - - - - <1%
Ethyl maltol - - - - <1%
Guaiacol - - - - <1%
Acetylpyridine - - - - <1%
Octalactone - - - - <1%

[6] The contents of a commonly Imported tobacco flavored liquid from China.

Scientific Name CAS 6mg Core 11mg Core 16mg Core
Megastigmatrienone 13215-88-8 14.00% 14.00% 14.00%
Beta-Damascenone 23696-85-7 12.00% 12.00% 12.00%
G2-Acetylpyrazine 22047-25-2 0.10% 0.10% 0.10%
2,5-Dimethyl pyrazine 123-32-0 0.20% 0.20% 0.20%
1,3-Propanediol 57-55-6 68.10% 67.60% 67.10%
L-Nicotine 54-11-5 0.60% 1.10% 1.60%
Linalool 11-05-54 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers

History

The electronic cigarette was first developed with a registered patent, in April 2003 by SBT Co. Ltd., a Beijing based company, which is now controlled by the Golden Dragon Group Ltd. In 2004, Ruyan took over the project to further develop the emerging technology. Ruyan officially absorbed SBT Co. Ltd. and their name was changed to SBT RUYAN Technology & Development Co., Ltd. Already in May 2004, Ruyan sold the first electronic cigarette in China. In its first 3 years of production, SBT RUYAN saw steady increases in sales, from $13 million HKD ($1.7 million USD) in 2004 to $136 million HKD ($17 million USD) in 2005, and $286 million HKD ($37 million USD) in 2006.[7]

In April 2006, the electronic cigarette was brought to Europe, and officially launched at the "RUYAN" Overseas Promotion Conference in Austria.[8] After its introduction, this product was adapted to the European market and marketed in UK as the "Electro fag". In 2007, Reuters visited SBT RUYAN in Beijing, which drew media attention to the technology. According to Matt Salmon, president of the recently formed Electronic Cigarette Association, the total number of e-cigarette users was estimated to be 300,000 in October 2009, based on survey results. In his opinion, Salmon added, the actual figure was in excess of that.[9]

Health issues

The health effects of using electronic cigarettes are currently unknown. Some electronic cigarette companies claim that the harmful material produced by the combustion of tobacco in traditional cigarettes is not present in the atomized liquid of electronic cigarettes. Some have also marketed electronic cigarettes as a way to curtail an addiction to nicotine,[10] although international health organizations have stated they may not be marketed as a cessation device.[11] Despite these claims, a number of regulatory agencies have issued warnings regarding the health effects of these products. The recently formed Electronic Cigarette Association aims to eliminate unsubstantiated health claims made by electronic cigarette companies, and those companies that wish to participate in the association must agree to refrain from making such claims.[12][13] In a recent online survey from November 2009 among 303 smokers, it was found that e-cigarette substitution for tobacco cigarettes resulted in perceived health benefits (less cough, higher ability to do exercise, and a better sense of taste and smell).[14]

Food and Drug Administration (USA)

In May 2009, the US FDA's Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis tested the contents of cartridges by two vendors. Diethylene glycol was detected in one of the eighteen cartridges. In addition, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) were detected in all of the cartridges from one brand and two of the other. Further concerns were raised over inconsistent amounts of nicotine delivered when drawing on the device.[15] In July 2009, the FDA issued a press release discouraging the use of electronic cigarettes and repeating previously stated concerns that electronic cigarettes may be marketed to young people and lack appropriate health warnings.[16]

The FDA's study was reviewed in July 2009 by scientific consulting firm Exponent, Inc., in a report commissioned by the manufacturer of one of the electronic cigarettes tested by the FDA. Some of the criticisms in Exponent's report are poor standards of documentation and analysis. Exponent lists previous studies that have detected TSNA levels in FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy products comparable to those the FDA detected in their study, and objects to the FDA making no comparisons to such products in their analysis of electronic cigarettes. Ultimately the review concludes that the FDA's study did not support the claims of potential adverse health effects from the use of electronic cigarettes.[17]

Health Canada

On March 27, 2009, Health Canada issued an advisory against electronic cigarettes. The advisory stated "Although these electronic smoking products may be marketed as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco products and, in some cases, as an aid to quitting smoking, electronic smoking products may pose risks such as nicotine poisoning and addiction."[18]

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization proclaimed in September 2008 that it does not consider the electronic cigarette to be a legitimate smoking cessation aid, and demanded that marketers immediately remove from their materials any suggestions that the WHO considers electronic cigarettes safe and effective.[11] The WHO states that to its knowledge, "no rigorous, peer-reviewed studies have been conducted showing that the electronic cigarette is a safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy. WHO does not discount the possibility that the electronic cigarette could be useful as a smoking cessation aid." WHO Tobacco Free Initiative director ad interim Douglas Bettcher states, "If the marketers of the electronic cigarette want to help smokers quit, then they need to conduct clinical studies and toxicity analyses and operate within the proper regulatory framework. Until they do that, WHO cannot consider the electronic cigarette to be an appropriate nicotine replacement therapy, and it certainly cannot accept false suggestions that it has approved and endorsed the product."

Health New Zealand Ltd. study funded by Ruyan

The presence of trace amounts of TSNAs in electronic cigarette vapor was previously documented in an October 2008 analysis performed by Health New Zealand Ltd. and funded by the electronic cigarette manufacturer Ruyan. However, unlike the FDA study, the Health New Zealand Ltd. study conducted detailed quantitative analysis and concluded that carcinogens and toxicants are present only below harmful levels. The final conclusion of the safety report is: "Based on the manufacturer’s information, the composition of the cartridge liquid is not hazardous to health, if used as intended."[19]

Because of the relative novelty of the technology and the possible relationship to tobacco laws and medical drug policies, electronic cigarette legislation and public health investigations are currently pending in many countries.

  • In Australia, the sale of electronic cigarettes containing nicotine is illegal.[20][21]
  • In Brazil electronic cigarettes sales, importation or advertisement of any kind are forbidden. Anvisa, the Brazilian health and sanitation federal agency, found the current health safety assessments about e-cigarettes not to be yet satisfactory to make the product eligible to be approved for commercialization.[22]
  • In Canada, as of March 2009, imports, sales, and advertising are banned. In March 2009, Health Canada also advised Canadians not to purchase or use any electronic smoking products. Health Canada cited the Food and Drugs Act, stating that electronic smoking products containing nicotine require market authorization before they can be imported, marketed, or sold. No market authorization has been granted for any electronic smoking product.[18]
  • In Denmark, the Danish Medicines Agency classifies electronic cigarettes containing nicotine as medicinal products. Thus, authorization is required from the retailer before the product may be marketed and sold. The agency has clarified, however, that electronic cigarettes that do not administer nicotine to the user, and are not otherwise used for the prevention or treatment of disease, are not considered medicinal devices.[23] The use of electronic cigarettes has not been prohibited in Copenhagen Airport, but at least one airline (Scandinavian Airlines) has decided to ban their use onboard flights.[24]
  • In Netherlands, use and sale of electronic cigarettes is allowed, but advertising is forbidden pending European Union legislation.[25]
  • In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has ruled that the Ruyan e-cigarette falls under the requirements of the Medicines Act, and cannot be sold except as a registered medicine.[2]
  • In Panama, importation, distribution and sale has been prohibited since June 2009. The Ministry of Health cites the FDA findings as their reason for the ban.[26]
  • In Singapore, the sale and import of electronic cigarettes, even for personal consumption, is illegal.[27]
  • In United Kingdom, use and sale of electronic cigarettes is currently unrestricted, although the MHRA has proposed bringing all nicotine products except tobacco within the medicines licensing regime.[28]

European Union

Directive 2001/95/EC(6) on general product safety applies in so far as there are no specific provisions with the same objective in other EC law. This directive provides for restrictive or preventive measures to be taken if the product is found to be dangerous to the health and safety of consumers.

Whether ecigs could be regarded as falling under Directive 93/42/EEC on medical devices depends on the claimed intended use and whether this intended use has a medical purpose. ”It is for each national authority to decide, account being taken of all the characteristics of the product, whether it falls within the definition of a medicinal product by its function or presentation.“ [29]

Electronic cigarettes may fall under the definition of a medicinal product laid down in Directive 2001/83/EC, either if the product is presented as a remedy against nicotine addiction or if it is qualified as restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions. [30]

United States

In January 2010, federal judge Richard J. Leon ordered the FDA to stop blocking the importation of electronic cigarettes from China, and indicated that the devices should be regulated as tobacco products, rather than drug or medical devices: "[...] With the passage of landmark tobacco legislation last year, the FDA’s new tobacco division will be able to regulate the contents and marketing claims of e-cigarettes, in the same way it is about to begin regulating traditional tobacco products. But the agency’s drug division cannot ban the devices [...]". Richards mentioned in his reasoning that e-cigarettes were not marketed as medical devices to help smokers quit, as FDA had argued, but rather as safer substitutes to give users the "nicotine hit that smokers crave".[31] In February 2010, the FDA began an appeal of the ruling in a federal appeals court in Washington.[32]

However, as of March 2010, a US Court of Appeals reinstated the FDA's authority to stop e-cigarettes from entering the country. The agency said in its appeal that it has regulated nicotine products, including nicotine patches, for years under the drug and device provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The agency argued that tobacco legislation enacted last year "expressly excludes from the definition of 'tobacco product' any article that is a drug, device or combination product under the FDCA, and provides that such articles shall be subject to regulation under the pre-existing FDCA provisions."[33]

  • In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have banned sales, stating "[...] If adults want to purchase and consume these products with an understanding of the associated health risks, they should be able to do so [...]"[34].
  • In New Jersey, legislators have started work on a proposal to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in all "no smoking areas" of the state.[35]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Electronic cigarettes.
  1. ^ Paul Courson (2010-02-09). "Study: Electronic cigarettes dont deliver". CNN (Washington). Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  2. ^ a b c Health New Zealand (2007-10-17). "The Ruyan e-cigarette; Technical Information Sheet". Health New Zealand. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  3. ^ See the chapter #Nicotine solution for a more extensive ingredients list.
  4. ^ Hon Lik (2004-03-08). "EP patent application 1618803: A flameless electronic atomizing cigarette". Patent granted 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2006-01-25.
  5. ^ Scientific Analysis Laboratories (2009-07-14). "Analysis of the Content of Totally Wicked eLiquid, from Pill Box 38 (UK) Ltd". Totally Wicked eLiquid Lab Reports. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  6. ^ Ingredient list submitted by: Shenzhen Bauway Technology Co Ltd PRC (2010-03-04). "Content of Domestic Vapor imported tobacco flavored eliquid". Import Liquid composition. Retrieved 2010-03-04. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Reuters (2007-05-09). "Chinese e-cigarette helps you stub out the habit". Reuters lifestyle. Retrieved 2009-11-05. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ Ruyan official website (2006-04-02). "Ruyan history (2004-2007)". Ruyan official website. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  9. ^ Ron Scherer (2009-10-17). "Electronic cigarettes: In need of FDA regulation?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  10. ^ Brooke Donovan (2008-02-27). "Fake aims to kill the urge to puff". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  11. ^ a b WHO news media center (2008-09-19). "Marketers of electronic cigarettes should halt unproved therapy claims". WHO Tobacco Free Initiative. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  12. ^ Electronic Cigarette Association (2009-08-01). "Application for Business Membership in the ECA" (PDF). ECA located in Washington DC. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  13. ^ Matt Salmon (2009-07-28). "ECA president response to FDA". Youtube. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
  14. ^ Heavner, Dunworth, Bergen, Nissen, Phillips (2009-11-26). "Results of an online survey of e-cigarette users" (PDF). Tobacco Harm Reduction (University of Alberta). Retrieved 2010-02-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ FDA (2009-05-04). "Evaluation of e-cigarettes" (PDF). Food and Drug Administration (US) -center for drug evaluation and research. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  16. ^ FDA (2009-07-22). "FDA and Public Health Experts Warn About Electronic Cigarettes". Food and Drug Administration (US). Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  17. ^ Janci Lindsay (2009-07-30). "Technical Review and Analysis of FDA Report: Evaluation of e-cigarettes" (PDF). Exponent Health Sciences. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  18. ^ a b Health Canada (2009-03-27). "Health Canada Advises Canadians Not to Use Electronic Cigarettes". Health Canada advisory. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  19. ^ Murray Laugesen (2008-10-30). "Safety Report on the Ruyan e-cigarette Cartridge and Inhaled Aerosol" (PDF). Health New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  20. ^ Helen Parker and Chloe Lake (2009-01-19). "E-cigarettes being sold online". News.com.au. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  21. ^ Therapeutic Goods Administration (2008-10-15). "National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee -record of reasons of meeting 54" (PDF). Australian_Government>Department_of_Health_and_Ageing>Therapeutic_Goods_Administration: NDPSC document (chapter 12.1.3 at p.126-144). Retrieved 2009-05-13.
  22. ^ Neri Vitor Eich (2009-08-31). "ANVISA proibe comercializacao do cigarro eletronico". Estado.com.br. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  23. ^ Danish Medicines Agency (2009-03-09). "Classification of electronic cigarettes". Danish Medicines Agency. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  24. ^ Jakob Kjær (2009-05-07). "El-smøger smyger sig uden om rygeloven". Politiken.dk. Retrieved 2010-02-20.
  25. ^ Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (2008-01-28). "Health minister seeks European consensus on e-cigarette". MinVWS.nl. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  26. ^ Yaritza Gricel Mojica (2009-10-22). "Advierten sobre cigarrillos con veneno". Prensa.com (Panama). Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  27. ^ Teh Joo Lin (2009-12-23). "13 warned or fined over e-cigarettes". Asiaone News (The Straits Times). Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  28. ^ UK MHRA (2010-02-01). "Public consultation (MLX 364)".
  29. ^ Orientation Note: Electronic Cigarettes and the EC Legislation
  30. ^ Answer given by Ms Vassiliou on behalf of the Commission
  31. ^ Duff Wilson (2010-01-14). "Judge Orders F.D.A. to Stop Blocking Imports of E-Cigarettes From China". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  32. ^ Jared A. Favole (2010-02-02). "FDA Appeals Electronic Cigarette Ruling". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
  33. ^ http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/health-of-the-public/20100302e-cig-fda.html
  34. ^ Arnold Schwarzenegger (2009-10-12). "SB 400 Senate Bill -Veto". California State Senate. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  35. ^ Tobacco Facts (2010-01-02). "New Jersey bill to ban e-cigarettes use in public, passes another hurdle". Tobacco news and cigarettes information. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
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