Airmen cautioned on “e-cig” use

  • Published
  • By Air Force News and Senior Airman Tabitha Lee
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The Air Force surgeon general issued a memorandum alerting Airmen on the use of electronic cigarettes also known as "e-cigs."

"E-cigs" are battery-operated devices containing cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. The electronic cigarette turns nicotine and other chemicals into a vapor that is then inhaled.

E-cigarettes are considered an alternative to traditional cigarettes, cigars or pipes because they still administer nicotine with some advertisements claiming they are a healthier way to smoke. However, these products have not been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for evaluation or approval.

"I can't imagine why a person would want to foster an addiction to nicotine," said Col. (Dr.) Patrick Storms, 31st Medical Group commander. "The intent of the 'E-cig' is not to make it easier to stop smoking; it is to find yet another way of feeding an addiction. I strongly advise current tobacco users to contact our Health and Wellness Center. We will work as partners to free our valued Air Force members from needless addiction to an expensive and dangerous drug (nicotine). There is no 'healthier way' to smoke!"

The FDA has conducted limited testing and found diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze, in one of the samples. Other samples tested by the FDA contained cancer-causing agents yet there are no health warnings on these products.

According to the surgeon general's memo, no studies have been done to demonstrate the safety or effectiveness of these products as tobacco cessation aids, and they are not approved by the FDA as a drug delivery device.

"Because no studies have been done to prove the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes helping smokers quit, we continue to refer nicotine users to our Tobacco Cessation class," said Staff Sgt. Rebekah Albert, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron Smoker's Cessation instructor. "The Tobacco Cessation class, offered by the HAWC, gives quitters a healthy base to start defeating their addiction, rather than just switching to another habit."

Due to the nature, appearance, and safety concerns of electronic cigarettes, they are considered to be in the same category as tobacco products. This means these "e-cigs" products can only be used in designated tobacco use areas. Tobacco product usage is governed by Air Force Instruction 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force. This new electronic cigarette will be reflected in the upcoming revision of AFI 40-102 due out this fall.