electronic cigarettes

Question

Hello, I have a question about electronic cigarettes (allowed in public places) : what is the content of the "smoke" that they reject?

Is it harmful for us, CF patients (since obviously it can happen to us to be exposed in spite of ourselves)? I read that most were made ​​in China and that the nature of their smoke could be very variable.

Thank you, kindly.

Answer

Hello,
Here is some information on the subject issued by the French health authorities and the World Health Organization, which recommend the utmost caution.

AFSSAPS (French Medicine Agency) recommends not to consume these products.
"Since the smoking ban in public places, electronic cigarettes have been developed as an alternative to conventional cigarette, they look the same. According to their claims or nicotine concentrations, these products can be classified as drugs or consumer products. However, no electronic smoking has received a marketting authorization. They can never be sold in pharmacies as they are not on the list of products whose issue is authorized. "

More details are available on the documents referenced below.

Regarding the risk of a "passive smoking" with electronic cigarettes, it has not been described in a specific study, but electronic cigarettes can contain chemicals such as propylene glycol, a irritent solvent, or terpene derivatives, which may affect those with a history of epilepsy. The potential harmfulness is probably less important in the case of secondary (passive) inhalation, but caution remains the watchword for patients with respiratory disease such as cystic fibrosis.

I hope this answers your question
Sincerely

Dr. Sophie Ravilly

22.03.2012