E-Cigarettes: Policy Options and Legal Issues Amidst Uncertainty. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaufman, Nancy; Mahoney, Margaret
• Is Part Of: Journal of law, medicine & ethics. Volume 43(2015)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: Medical laws and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; Jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Legislation, Medical -- Periodicals; Legislation, Nursing -- Periodicals; Ethics -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Societies -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation; Medical ethics; Medical laws and legislation; United States; Periodicals; 344.73041
• DOI: 10.1111/jlme.12209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-1105

Abstract

Abstract : E-cigarettes, sometimes referred to as ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems), include a broad range of products that deliver nicotine via heating and aerosolization of the drug. ENDS come in a variety of forms, but regardless of form generally consist of a solution containing humectant (e.g., propylene glycol or glycerol), flavorings, and usually nicotine (some solutions do not contain nicotine); a battery-powered coil that heats the solution into an aerosol (usually referred to as vapor) in an atomizing chamber; and a mouthpiece through which the user draws the vapor into the mouth and lungs. The devices may be closed systems containing prefilled cartridges, or open systems, where the user manually refills a 1-2 ml. tank with solution. What started as closed-system cigarette-shaped devices marketed as an adjunct for smoking cessation, has transitioned rapidly to literally thousands of hip and funky-designed open-system hookah pens, vape pens, and modifiable devices. For younger people, these forms are the "in" thing, while traditional cigarette-shaped devices are "out."