title: Electronic cigarettes: a safer alternative or potential poison?
abstract: Electronic cigarettes have been marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, and their use is expanding exponentially. However, there is a severe lack of scientific data about the ingredients in the liquid used in the device and the health consequences of using electronic cigarettes. As technology has outpaced regulations, the production and sale of electronic cigarettes are, as yet, unregulated and do not fall under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration. This article will review the mechanism of action and what is currently known about the safety of electronic cigarettes. The risk of poisoning for children will also be identified, as well as the implications for home healthcare clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Janet E. Smith, MBA, MSN, RN, is an Instructor, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D011042:Poisons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D012449:Safety / Q000592:standards; D014116:Toxicology / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D011042:Poisons