Electronic Cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that look like regular cigarettes. Some electronic cigarettes are one-time use only, containing a specific number of puffs, while others contain a specific number of puffs, while others contain a replaceable cartridge filled with a “liquid chemical mixture that may be composed of various amounts of nicotine, propylene glycol, and other chemicals.”[1] An atomizer heats up the liquid chemical mixture, creating a vapour.
The Province of Ontario passed the Electronics Cigarette Act, 2015, which prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes to youth under 19 years of age, and which regulates the display and promotion of electronic cigarettes. The province promised to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes inside public places and workplaces as of January 1, 2016. However this regulation has not yet come into effect.
Smoking Cessation Programs in Ottawa:
The Health Risks of Electronic Cigarettes:
More Information on the Health Risks of Electronic Cigarettes:
REFERENCES:
[1] Health Canada. Advisory. Health Canada Advises Canadians Not To Use Electronic Cigarettes. March 27, 2009.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2009/2009_53-eng.php
[2] Ibid.
[3] American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. E-Cigarettes: Not a healthy alternative to smoking. News Release. May 27, 2014. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140527100644.htm
[4] Grana R, Benowitz N, Glantz SA. E-cigarettes - A Scientific Review. Circulation. 2014;129:1972-1986. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24821826
[5] National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine. Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects. Making Sense of the Evidence. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press, 2010. https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12649/secondhand-smoke-exposure-and-cardiovascular-effects-making-sense-of-the
[6] Grana R, Benowitz N, Glantz SA. E-cigarettes - A Scientific Review. Circulation. 2014;129:1972-1986. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24821826
[7] Marini S, Buonanno G, Stabile L, Ficco G. Short-term effects of electronic and tobacco cigarettes on exhaled nitric oxide. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. July 1, 2014; 278(1):9-15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24732441
The Province of Ontario passed the Electronics Cigarette Act, 2015, which prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes to youth under 19 years of age, and which regulates the display and promotion of electronic cigarettes. The province promised to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes inside public places and workplaces as of January 1, 2016. However this regulation has not yet come into effect.
Smoking Cessation Programs in Ottawa:
- Ottawa Public Health
- Quit Smoking Program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute
- Canadian Cancer Society's Smokers' Helpline or call: 1-877-513-5333
The Health Risks of Electronic Cigarettes:
- Inhaling propylene glycol is a known lung irritant [2] that could trigger an asthma attack.[3]
- Electronic cigarette vapour contains nicotine, carcinogens, heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals.[4]
- Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure, causes blood vessels to contrict, and decreases blood flow to the heart in individuals with heart disease.[5]
- The ultrafine particles in electronic cigarette vapour can cause lung inflammation [6] and decreased lung function.[7]
More Information on the Health Risks of Electronic Cigarettes:
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Canadian Dental Hygienists' Association
- Canadian Lung Association: Don't Be Fooled by E-cigarettes
- Canadian Medical Association
- Health Canada Advises Canadians Not To Use Electronic Cigarettes
- Ontario Lung Association
- Ontario Tobacco Research Unit: Research on Electronic Cigarettes and Waterpipes
- Ontario Tobacco Research Unit: Current Research on Electronic Cigarettes
- Ottawa Public Health
- World Health Organization
REFERENCES:
[1] Health Canada. Advisory. Health Canada Advises Canadians Not To Use Electronic Cigarettes. March 27, 2009.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2009/2009_53-eng.php
[2] Ibid.
[3] American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. E-Cigarettes: Not a healthy alternative to smoking. News Release. May 27, 2014. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140527100644.htm
[4] Grana R, Benowitz N, Glantz SA. E-cigarettes - A Scientific Review. Circulation. 2014;129:1972-1986. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24821826
[5] National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine. Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects. Making Sense of the Evidence. Washington (DC): The National Academies Press, 2010. https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12649/secondhand-smoke-exposure-and-cardiovascular-effects-making-sense-of-the
[6] Grana R, Benowitz N, Glantz SA. E-cigarettes - A Scientific Review. Circulation. 2014;129:1972-1986. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24821826
[7] Marini S, Buonanno G, Stabile L, Ficco G. Short-term effects of electronic and tobacco cigarettes on exhaled nitric oxide. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. July 1, 2014; 278(1):9-15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24732441
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