American Heart Association presses for strict federal controls on e-cigarettes

The Washington Times ^ | August 26, 2014 | Cheryl K. Chumley

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The American Heart Association says e-cigarettes are dangerous gateway products that cause nicotine addiction and should be subject to strict federal controls for minor-aged use.

The group published its statement into the journal Circulation. Among its views: Ban e-cigarettes for minors, tightly regulate the product’s marketing and ban vapors that have flavors because they entice youngsters to try the product, Medical News Today reported.

[Boogieman]

I guess the AHA wants people to keep smoking, otherwise deaths due to heart disease might drop and they might lose donations.

[Boogieman]

“is nicotine in and of itself dangerous to be addicted to?”

Nicotine is toxic by itself, but the dosage in cigarettes or e-cigarettes is far too low to cause any acute illness besides nausea. There might very well be long term effects from prolonged usage, but I’m not sure about that.

[Mercat]

This is ridiculous. Legalize marijuana but for those who are already addicted to nicotine, criminalize the best option for them to get off of cigarettes.

[TigersEye]

...-- how many otherwise healthy chemicals (or even vitamins)...

I was referring to that. It's not germane to the subjects of e-cigs, tobacco or nicotine which are the subjects of this thread.

[TigersEye]

I’ve been rolling my own since ‘93. No added chemicals and it was quite a bit cheaper until Jugears increased the tax on cigarette tobacco 2,061%. Now I use a bit lower grade “pipe” tobacco ordered by mail and bypass state taxes.

[Boogieman]

If you’re addicted to nicotine, and you can’t get it, that probably raises your BP a lot more!

[Chuckster]

Indeed. I get it that inhaling smoke from anything is bad for your lungs (DUH!) I also understand that the constant irritation from extended use of other forms of tobacco can cause cancers of the mouth, lip and throat.

But what, other than addiction, is the physiological effect of nicotine?

[jjsheridan5]

I was referring to that. It's not germane to the subjects of e-cigs, tobacco or nicotine which are the subjects of this thread.

But it is germane to my point that this is a "scare headline". I thought my point was simple enough that it didn't need to be spelled out. The headline is designed to make it appear that nicotine is dangerous to cancer patients. However, the actual study reveals nothing about whether nicotine is dangerous to cancer patients. My point about other chemicals is that it is likely that they could recreate that exact same study with a host of chemicals that are considered safe and/or healthy, and achieve the same results. I say "likely", because anything that has even a marginal effect on cell growth has the potential to affect the growth rate of cancer, at least in an in vitro experiment.

My comment was not about "the subjects of e-cigs, tobacco or nicotine which are the subjects of this thread." My comment was strictly about that study, and the reporting of it.

[jjsheridan5]

Nicotine is toxic by itself, but the dosage in cigarettes or e-cigarettes is far too low to cause any acute illness besides nausea. There might very well be long term effects from prolonged usage, but I’m not sure about that.

The generally accepted toxicity level was actually "discovered" about 100 years ago, through a very non-scientific self-experiment, and a very, very, questionable extrapolation of the results. It has no real scientific validity, has never been restudied (AFAIK), and has never been confirmed in real life (AFAIK). It appears that the actual toxicity level is at least 5x, and probably much more, than the conventionally accepted level, based solely on anecdotal evidence, which is actually the only evidence we have.

This is why attempts to commit suicide via nicotine ingestion have been more embarrassing than successful, despite greatly exceeding the "toxic level". There have never been any studies on prolonged serum levels akin to a smoker. However, bear in mind that just about everybody has nicotine in their system, primarily through diet, and if there really were a long-term danger to nicotine exposure, one would think that the body would rid itself of all, not just some, of the nicotine in the blood.

[TigersEye]

I thought my point was simple enough that it didn't need to be spelled out.

You're right. It was so simple it didn't even need to be made.

[Wolfie]

Americans are Prohibitionist by nature. Just ask the DEA. And the only chance for tobacco to remain legal is if cannabis IS legalized.

[ChicagahAl]

...dangerous gateway products...

In other news: Mother's Breast Milk is a dangerous gateway product that will lead to the child's later consumption of junk food that can cause obesity and other health problems.

Liberal illogic.

[Bratch]

Follow the money.

I suspect Big Pharmacy is somehow involved - they don’t want e-cigarettes interfering with their CHANTIX® gravy train.

[Svartalfiar]

Nicotine is toxic by itself, but the dosage in cigarettes or e-cigarettes is far too low to cause any acute illness besides nausea. There might very well be long term effects from prolonged usage, but I’m not sure about that.

Water is toxic as well if you consume it in quantities large enough. Oxygen is the reason your cells age and die, but without it you'll die anyway. I have yet to see any studies showing that any reasonable amount of nicotine a person would consume would do any damage. Most of the cigarette issues are other chemicals in them, and breathing in the physical smoke particles.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Eric Blair 2084]

I am not a smoker, never have been. What are the dangers of nicotine addiction if tobacco is not ingested?

________________

Its a mild stimulant like caffeine. It was the delivery system that involved dozens of carcinogens that was the problem. Nicotine itself is harmless.

Like caffeine. Ask the Guy at Starbucks tomorrow while he’s making you your double mocha cappuccino. :-)

[Eric Blair 2084]

Follow the money.

I suspect Big Pharmacy is somehow involved - they don’t want e-cigarettes interfering with their CHANTIX® gravy train.

_____________

Ding ding ding! We have a winner.

[Eric Blair 2084]

It’s hard for normal patriotic Americans to believe that their own government agencies would lie to them. Especially liberals. They don’t believe in God, they think government is God.

But God has a sense of humor. And He is laughing. Hindus call it Karma.

The states And anti-smoking groups are partners in crime. Their livelihood and cash flow depends upon people continuing to smoke. Electronic cigarettes prove that human ingenuity and creativity beats central planning Every single time. They never saw this coming. That’s the problem with central planning by an omnipotent ruling politburo elite. :-)

They only think they know everything. 2 billion people out there who can blow their entire plan out the window. I don’t care if you are Albert lights line you are not smarter than 2 billion people.

Statists and crony capitalists have no humility.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Make that Einstein. He was a pipe smoker by the way.

[Alamo-Girl]

So very true! Thank you for sharing your insights!