Electronic cigarettes are potentially unsafe and their manufacturing is subject to a lack of quality control, according to a preliminary FDA analysis of these products announced today. The agency conducted the analysis because little is known about these battery-operated products, which vaporize nicotine and other chemicals so that they can be inhaled. “The FDA is concerned about the safety of these products and how they are marketed,” Joshua Sharfstein , the FDA’s principal deputy commissioner told reporters during a conference call. In testing 19 products from two manufacturers, investigators found that the majority tested positive for tobacco impurities thought to be harmful to humans. Half of the samples appeared to contain known carcinogens, said Benjamin Westenberger of the agency’s Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis, who led the analysis. In addition, there were problems in quality, with some products testing positive for nicotine even though the label said no

nicotine was present. There was also variability in how much nicotine was delivered — even from the same type of product. The FDA is also concerned by the easy accessibility and appeal of these products to children. E-cigarettes can come in flavors like bubble gum, chocolate and mint, and are sold at mall kiosks and online. The use of e-cigarettes might prompt kids to try real cigarettes, said the FDA. All known e-cigarettes are imported to the U.S. and are illegal because they considered unapproved drugs or medical devices. So far, 50 shipments have been blocked at the border. The agency is considering other enforcement actions against importers of these products and the domestic distributors. But, it is also facing litigation questioning whether the FDA has jurisdiction over e-cigarettes. Photo: Getty Images

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FDA Questions Safety, Quality of Electronic Cigarettes