As the debate heats up concerning the use of electronic cigarettes, Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA) President Matt Salmon today encouraged those involved in this discussion to carefully and honestly study how these devices work and recognize that the more than one million adult committed smokers, who use electronic cigarettes, are seeking an alternative to combustible cigarettes that contain a multitude of toxic, harmful chemicals.

The debate on these devices has intensified in recent months as events have fueled and focused attention on electronic cigarettes, including a front-page story ..read more

Electronic cigarettes are opening a new front in the tobacco wars as state and local lawmakers try to restrict the product, which may allow users to circumvent smoking bans.

The battery-powered device is made up of a cartridge containing nicotine, flavoring and chemicals. It turns nicotine, which is addictive, into a vapor that is inhaled. Users say they’re “vaping,” not smoking.

E-cigarettes are used by at least a half-million Americans, says Matt Salmon, head of the Electronic Cigarette Association.

“People who smoke ought ..read more

Industry hails veto of anti-smoking alternative bill as victory for consumers, common sense

Washington, D.C. – October 12, 2009 | Matt Salmon, president of the Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA), today praised California Governor Schwarzenegger’s wise decision to veto Senate Bill 400, which would have banned electronic cigarette sales in the state, protecting adult consumers’ access to these alternative smoking devices.

“This is not just a victory for consumers and common sense but is smart public policy as well,” said Salmon. “Rejecting this ..read more

Julie Woessner puffs on an electronic cigarette and feels a vapor full of nicotine wafting deep into her lungs.

Woessner and thousands around the country are passionate in their belief that the battery-powered sticks that deliver nicotine without burning have been lifesavers.

“If I hadn’t have had it, I’d still be smoking,’ said Woessner, 46, a homemaker living in Wildwood.

People like Woessner call themselves “vapers” because they “vape” or inhale vapor that includes nicotine from e-cigarettes. They

worry the government may try to ..read more

The Food and Drug Administration last month held a press conference warning people of what they claim are the potential health risks and harmful effects associated with electronic cigarettes. Unfortunately, the study was extremely narrow in scope and included only limited data, failing to include a scientifically significant sample of e-cigarette products on the market or their users. They also failed to acknowledge the efforts on the part of electronic cigarette suppliers in our association to market their products solely ..read more

To me, the most alarming concern regarding the FDA’s press conference on electronic cigarettes was how unscientific and disingenuous the Agency was in its presentation of laboratory findings on electronic cigarettes. The Agency struck an alarmist tone, acting as if its finding of detectable levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in electronic cigarettes demonstrated that these products are toxic and unsuitable for use. The clear message to e-cigarette users was that they should stop using these toxic products and go back to ..read more

Dr.’s Siegel, Radu, and Nitzkin all respond to the FDA’s report regarding the electronic cigarette.

BOSTON, July 27 — The FDA recently went public with misleading information about the safety of electronic cigarettes and the marketing of the devices, not only using its clout but recruiting other prominent organizations to demonize a product that has great public health benefit potential.

A group of prominent doctors and tobacco researchers, including Dr. Michael Siegel at the Boston University School of Public Health, Dr. Joel ..read more