Although there is often mention in the press and in blogs regarding the sweet flavours some electronic cigarettes come in, and their potential therefore to appeal to children, there is little attention given to the ones that come in tobacco, menthol and mint flavours.
E-cigs were never meant to appeal to children, and in fact the starter packs are generally too expensive for children to buy (although the overall cost will work out at less than smoking tobacco). Strangely the sweeter flavours are often quite popular with adults, who tend to start to dislike the taste of traditional cigarettes once they have begun to kick the habit.
The American FDA continues to refuse to give the e-cig the all clear for general use. There are several theories as to why this should be the case.
One such speculation is that there has been a loss in tax revenue as people switch from tobacco, which is heavily taxed, and that the FDA is in some way influenced by the large tobacco and pharmaceutical companies.
Only one study has been undertaken by the FDA, and in a small sample of cartridges Diethylene glycol was found. The fact that the amount found was so tiny as to be completely harmless seems to have been overlooked, and as a result many greatly exaggerated stories have circulated.
