The Doc is Somewhat RightRay Hedge | 7/25/2010 8:45:46 AM I am an e-cig users as well as regular smoker. I see the benefits of smokeless but Nicotine is a posion and has always been a posion. We used it in the garden as an insecticide. Read about it below. Which of the following poisons is the most deadly? 1. Arsenic 2. Strychnine 3. Nicotine If you guessed # 3, you are correct. The lethal dosage for a 150 pound adult is 60 mg. The lethal dosage for # 2 is 75 mg and the lethal dosage for # 1 is 200 mg. In other words, nicotine is three times as toxic as arsenic and one and one half times as toxic as strychnine. (source: Poisoning/Toxicology, Third Edition, Jay M. Arena, B.S., M.D.) Nicotine - a poisonous volatile alkaloid, derived from tobacco and responsible for many of the effects of tobacco. It first stimulates (small doses) and depresses (large doses) at autonomic ganglia and myoneural junctions. It is also used as an insecticide and fumigant. (source: Black's Medical Dictionary, thirty-fourth edition) Recent research has shown in fine detail how nicotine acts on the brain to produce a number of behavioral effects. Of primary importance to its addictive nature are findings that nicotine activates the brain circuitry that regulates feelings of pleasure, the so-called reward pathways. A key brain chemical involved in mediating the desire to consume drugs is the neurotransmitter dopamine, and research has shown that nicotine increases the levels of dopamine in the reward circuits. Nicotine's pharmacokinetic properties have been found also to enhance its abuse potential. Cigarette smoking produces a rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain, with drug levels peaking within 10 seconds of inhalation. The acute effects of nicotine dissipate in a few minutes, causing the smoker to continue dosing frequently throughout the day to maintain the drug's pleasurable effects and prevent withdrawal. What people frequently do not realize is th

Vested interests at workKate | 7/21/2010 6:26:31 PM This doctor sells pharmaceutical cessation products that fail 95% of the time. It's not in his interests to allow a product that is a non-harmful alternative to smoking that he can't make money from. Ecigs are vilified by tobacco control because they don't control them yet. These people are responsible for millions of deaths because they insist that we have no alternatives to smoke if we can't or don't want to quit. The facts about ecigs are obvious and there are plenty of studies. http://vapersnetwork.org/studies They've never harmed anybody and they cut into the profits of the cessation industry.

It is Truly Unfortunate...Janet Andersen | 7/21/2010 6:14:14 PM that a distinguished doctor and member of the National Program for Combating Smoking, could be so misinformed regarding nicotine and e-cigarettes. In a recent clinical trial, Bullen et. Al., found that e-cigarettes preformed as well as NRTs for smoking cessation. Further the use of nicotine in smoking alternatives such as e-cigarettes has little dangerous effects to the body. Also, there is absolutely no evidence that flavors entice teenagers into smoking. There is however plenty of anecdotal evidence that flavors keep e-cigarette users away from combustible tobacco. These devices have the potential of saving millions of lives and need to be embraced by the medical community, rather than this campaign of misinformation that keeps smokers using the most deadly from of nicotine.

Nicotine Safety and ToxicityElaine Keller | 7/21/2010 5:52:04 PM Nicotine is not "a high hazard for the human health". Inhaling smoke is the high hazard for human health. Dr. Al-Nasser and the "several doctors and experts" should read the book "Nicotine Safety and Toxicity", edited by Neal L. Benowitz. In Sweden, smokers who switch to snus (a type of moist snuff) live as long as smokers who quit using nicotine altogether. Nicotine does not cause the smoking-related cancers, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. In fact, nicoitne has proven beneficial effects on health. AstraZenica is engaged in clinical trials of medications based on nicotine to treat Attention Deficit Disorder, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. To say "it is certainly not any better than the traditional cigarette" borders on malpractice. Smokers inhale tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and those 4,000 chemicals generated by burning tobacco along with their nicotine. If e-cigarettes are no safer, why are 90% of users reporting that their health has improved since they switched away from smoking to inhaling vaporized nicotine?

Mr Sami, I am suprised you passed medical school! davidk | 7/21/2010 4:15:16 PM You representation of electronic cigarettes is disgusting, illicit - and with the _disibledevent=52

The Doc Is MisinformedFred Hammon | 7/21/2010 11:32:19 AM I am an electronic cigarette user and am not involved in the sale of them in any way. E- cigarettes are not intended as a "quit smoking" devise. That's the Docs first mistake. The are a reduced harm device. People use them as an alternative to tobacco cigarettes who's smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, about 50 of which are known to cause cancer. No such chemicals exist in the vapor inhaled with e-cigs in the amount that can ever cause cancer. That includes nicotine. Nicotine while being highly addictive, is no more dangerous that the caffeine found it tea or coffee. Nicotine isn't what causes cancer in cigarette smokers. It's the smoke. There is no smoke in e-cigs. There is a lot of misinformation being spread around internationally due largely to big companies who profit from smoking cessation devices like nicotine gum, patches and other "quit smoking" devises. Electronic cigarettes are a threat to them and you can expect to see more propoganda like this article in the future. As an electronic cigarette user I'm making it my business to be sure they are kept legal and available. They're helping to save my life. I would like other smokers to know about them. I smoked cigarettes for over 40 years and was never able to quit although I tried many times with patches, gum, etc. After using an E-cig my lungs are now much clearer and my smoker's cough is gone. This devise is saving my life. I hope the "Doc" does some further honest recearch. The correct information is out there if he only cares to look.