Serious health concerns about the electronic (e)-cigarettes.

Dear Sir,

The electronic (e) - cigarette's use is made legal and its use is in boom and it was marketed as an aid to smoking cessation in India.[1] The role of dental surgeon in the control of smokeless tobacco use in pediatric population was ascertained.[2] There is little information about serious health concerns about the electronic (e) cigarettes as an aid in smoking cessation. E-cigarette aerosols may contain propylene glycol, glycerol, flavorings, nicotine, and other chemicals.[3] Aerosolized propylene glycol and glycerol may produce mouth and throat irritation and dry cough.[3]

The environmental impacts of e-cigarette manufacturing will depend on factory size and the nicotine extracting method used.[4] It may lead to chemical and aerosol exposure in the indoor environment and residual nicotine and disposal of e-cigarettes, which contain batteries, will represent another environmental concern.[4]

The usual e-cigarette components include an aerosol generator, a flow sensor, a battery, and a nicotine-containing solution storage area.[5] The aerosols may contain harmful constituents. Battery explosions and the risks of exposure to the e-liquid are serious concerns of e-cigarettes.[5]

Initially, it was postulated that the e-cigarettes will deliver less nicotine per puff than traditional cigarettes, and recent clinical studies indicate that the current e-cigarette smokers will achieve systemic nicotine concentrations similar to those produced from traditional cigarettes. This may be attributed to the fact that the user experience is critically important for nicotine exposure, and may contribute to the products’ ability to support and maintain nicotine dependence.[6] The levels of nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, aldehydes, metals, volatile organic compounds, flavors, solvent carriers, and tobacco alkaloids in e-cigarette refill solutions, cartridges, aerosols, and environmental emissions will vary considerably.[7]

Nicotine is also considered as a risk factor in the onset and progression of periodontal disease and it is wise to take the history of the patient if he is an (e)-cigarette user to rule out nicotine use.[8] More research is hence needed to reveal the serious health concerns about the electronic (e) cigarettes as an aid in smoking cessation.