WIVB.com manages to post another mis-informed news report on e-cigs joining a long line of “lets post what will stir up the people the most” articles.  Amazingly enough, they can help people so much by digging for facts.  But, luckily there were several posters that helped “clear up” there miscellaneous mis-facts.

The one that really “screams” of how-did-you-get-that-wrong is:

One of the ingredients the FDA warns of is diethylene glycol. That’s something used inside antifreeze.

I like Anthony Ochoa‘s response the best (which was deleted):

Whomever wrote the article did an amazing job of avoiding the fact that
diethylene glycol (DEG) is NOT used in electronic cigarettes.  Nor did
they specifically state that the FDA suggests DEG is used in electronic
cigarettes.  To quote the article, “One of the ingredients the FDA warns
of is diethylene glycol. That’s something used inside antifreeze.”  Get
your facts straight, or cease and desist from misinforming your
readers.

Diethylene glycol is a derivative of ethylene glycol, which IS used in antifreeze, HOWEVER, it is NOT used in electronic cigarettes.  The correct chemical would be propylene glycol.

Propylene glycol, which is used in “e-cigarettes,” can also be found in everything from baby food to asthma inhalers to cosmetics to, you guessed it, antifreeze.  While still not used as frequently as ethylene glycol, the purpose of of propylene glycol in antifreeze is to offer a safer product to the ethylene glycol alternative.  “SIERRA Antifreeze is formulated
with propylene glycol (PG). As compared to ethylene glycol,
propylene glycol is less toxic and safer for children, pets, and
wildlife in the environment. Propylene glycol is used at
specified levels in the formulation of many consumer products
including cosmetics, pet food, and certain over-the-counter
medications.”(Source: http://www.sierraantifreeze.co… )

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry states “Propylene glycol, which is much less toxic than ethylene glycol, is
metabolized to compounds that are normal constituents of the citric acid
cycle.”(Source: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/… )

While the FDA considers Propylene Glycol as a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substance.  “Propylene glycol is metabolized by animals and can be used as a
carbohydrate source. Propylene glycol can be ingested over long periods
of time and in substantial quantities (up to 5 percent of the total food
intake) without causing frank toxic effects.”  It goes on to say, “The Select Committee has weighed the available information and concludes
that: There is no evidence in the available information on propylene
glycol and propylene glycol monostearate that demonstrates, or suggests
reason to suspect, a hazard to the public” (Source: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIn… )

Read the article here.

Volcano Cigs releases this new commercial and it’s hilarious:

There are several sites around that offer “Free” e-cig starter kits. They all point back to one site “ecigs4us.com”, which is now “ignite ecigs”. The BBB (Better Business Bureau) has them listed and they are unable to get in contact with the company to try to resolve payment issues. I would recommend avoiding them, at least until BBB.org is able to contact them so we can hear their side.

It looks like once you sign up, they put you on an auto-charge system that then auto-ships you replacement cartridges for a high premium.

If anyone has more information, for them or horror stories, please let me know. I’d hate for someones first impression of e-cigs to be tarnished by a bad-contract auto-draft site.

Electronic Cigarettes have grown in popularity

after 6 years to attract the attention of local government in Idaho, says:

“There was not an awareness of ecigarettes I’d just begun to see them last year in the malls just last summer. The health district director contacted me to carry this bill,” says Senator Hammond

Senator Hammond say he has seen kiosk workers of electronic cigarettes try to sell to minors:

“I have observed in different malls…sales people at kiosks going up to teens and trying to sell them the product.”

The Governor is expected to sign this bill into law.

Read the article here from KIVI-TV.

In my opinion I, as an electronic cigarette user, have no problem banning sales of electronic cigarettes to kids. I think it’s the right thing to do. I just feel we need an independent study to prove once and for all that electronic cigarettes are not as harmful heath-wise to people as regular cigarettes.  Just one e-cig users view-point.