Reports show rise in incidence of e-cigarette injuries
E-cigarettes have been hailed by some as a cleaner, safer alternative to smoking, which lower the risk of cancer, respiratory conditions and oral diseases, but research shows that there has been a significant increase in the incidence of e-cigarette injuries.
According to reports in the USA shows that in the last 12 months, there have been more complaints than the total number for the previous five year period. More than fifty complaints made to the US Food and Drug Administration between March 2013 and March 2014; a similar figure to the total number of complaints from 2008 to 2013.
The rise in complaints correlates with an increase in the popularity of the product. The most recent data shows that in 2011, more than double the number of adults in the US had tried e-cigarettes compared to 2010.
David Ashley, from the FDA’s tobacco department, said that the increase in complaints is significant and there are also concerns about a growing number of referrals to poison control centres, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
News of e-cigarette injuries has come in light of an announcement by the FDA, which suggests that regulation for e-cigarettes and related products will be introduced for the first time. The industry is worth £2 billion per year.
The products, which contain nicotine, which is heated to release a gas, which is then inhaled by the user, were developed in China and are marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes and tobacco products. However, in truth, little is known about the long-term impact of using them.
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