Electronic cigarettes: Safety concerns and regulatory issues

Is there anything such as safe smoking? This is a claim made by manufacturers of electronic cigarettes, who promote their products as smoking alternatives. The wide availability and aggressive marketing of these products may leave health care providers and patients asking an important public health question. Are electronic cigarettes the same lethal vice through a more modern vehicle or are they a safer alternative to smoking? Historically, tobacco products, such as conventional cigarettes, are some of the most unregulated products on the market. In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) attempted to assert jurisdiction over tobacco products under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938.1 However, this was met by great resistance, particularly by the tobacco industry. Ultimately, the courts determined that FDA did not have legal jurisdiction over tobacco products. After this ruling, all FDA tobacco regulations were dropped (Leggett CC, Food and Drug Administration, personal communication, 2002). However, on June 29, 2009, president Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.2 This new legislation grants FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products. The FDA is now starting to collaborate with public health leaders to develop and implement regulations.3