Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs)
Not Safe for Use in Smokefree Spaces
Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are part of a category of products called Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs), which are designed to mimic combustible tobacco cigarettes and, in most cases, contain varying levels of nicotine.
ESDs are relatively new products that require further study. The scientific evidence on the short-term and long-term health effects of the use of ESDs and exposure to ESD secondhand aerosol is growing, and the initial findings indicate there are risks associated with both use and exposure.
As of October 1, 2024, 1,065 municipalities, plus 26 states, commonwealths, and territories restrict e-cigarette use in 100% smokefree venues.
Big Tobacco lies. So did JUUL.
JUUL perpetuated old tobacco industry lies. It made sense – Altria, the bad actor formerly known as Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro cigarettes, owned a 35% stake in JUUL. With so many adults kicking the cigarette smoking habit, Altria was looking for ways to sustain its financial stability.
While JUUL and others claim that these electronic smoking devices are to help smokers switch from tobacco to e-liquids, the truth is these companies have reverted back to old profiling and marketing efforts, which includes creating attractive ads and flavors to recruit new users – namely youth and young adult never smokers.
ANR Foundation created a series of JUUL Lies posts to expose industry behavior and misinformation, and raise awareness about e-cigarettes, including JUUL, on youth nicotine addiction and the health impact of these products on nonsmokers
READ OUR ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES (ESDs) 4 PAGE FACT SHEET FOR MORE INFORMATION!
On December 8, 2016, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office released “E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General,” which comprehensively reviewed the public health issue of e-cigarettes and their impact on U.S. youth and young adults. Studies highlighted in the report cover young adolescents (11-14 years of age); adolescents (15-17 years of age); and/or young adults (18-25 years of age). The report stated that, “E-cigarette use among U.S. youth and young adults is now a major public health concern. E-cigarette use has increased considerably in recent years, growing an astounding 900% among high school students from 2011 to 2015. These products are now the most commonly used form of tobacco among youth in the United States, surpassing conventional tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and hookahs. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which can cause addiction and can harm the developing adolescent brain.”
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy stated at the press conference announcing the report:
“Secondhand aerosol from electronic smoking devices is not harmless water vapor. The aerosol created by e-cigarettes can contain ingredients that are harmful and potentially harmful to the public’s health, including: nicotine; ultrafine particles; flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead. State and local leaders should take action to address e-cigarette use and exposure to secondhand aerosol by including e-cigarettes into smokefree policies and laws, preventing access to e-cigarettes by youth, price and tax policies, retail licensure, regulation of e-cigarette marketing likely to attract youth, and educational initiatives targeting youth and young adults.”
THE DANGERS OF E-CIGARETTES
Electronic cigarettes and ESDs also pose a risk of fire and explosions, which result in serious injuries and property damage. Our staff has collected various news stories about such events. Please be advised that many of these stories contain graphic and upsetting photos of injuries.
ELECTRONIC (E-) CIGARETTES AND SECONDHAND AEROSOL
Learn more about potential health hazards of secondhand aerosol (a.k.a. vapor) emitted by electronic cigarettes and electronic smoking devices.
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curious about what research has been done about electronic cigarettes? Review our bibliography of research citations!
ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES (ESDs) AND SMOKEFREE LAWS
4 Page Fact Sheet
MORE INFORMATION ON POLICY/LAWS TRENDS
States and Municipalities With Laws Regulating Use of Electronic Cigarettes
States & Municipalities with Laws Regulating Use of Electronic Cigarettes in 100% Smokefree Venues (Map)
Electronic, or E-Cigarette, and other Electronic Smoking Devices Policy Adoption Trends 2009-2017
RELATED POSTS
ANR Foundation Provides Free Research Resource on Secondhand Smoke/Aerosols
ANR Foundation Has Answers for You If you are looking […]
New Statewide Smokefree Laws Launched January 1, 2024!
All hotels and motels in California are required to be […]
Debating the Potential Federal Menthol Ban: A Path to Health Equity?
Clinton Isham, ANR/F Tribal Relations Consultant The Biden Administration is […]
Foundation for a Smokefree World – A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
In September 2017, tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI) launched […]
Multi-Unit Home Dwellers Battling Secondhand Smoke
You Can Advocate for Your Home With Our Help Apartment […]
Californians to Vote on Flavored Tobacco Law
Prop 31 is on California’s ballot this fall to determine […]
Respiratory Risk Factors and COVID-19 (Updated 1/5/2022*)
Since this post was first published in March 2020, more [...]
Smokefree Lists and Maps Quarterly Update – July 2021
The ANR Foundation is pleased to announce our most recent quarterly […]
New Research Emphasizes Harm of Exposure to Secondhand Marijuana Smoke
With two additional states (New Mexico and New York) decriminalizing […]
World No Tobacco Day 2020: Big Tobacco
Secondhand Smoke and Big Tobacco Interference Millions of U.S. hospitality […]
Reopen Smokefree: Protect Musicians & Public Health
Stay Safe at Home Music Series: Protecting Musicians’ and Public […]
Reopening Smokefree: Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned in the Smokefree Workplace Fight Can Help Us […]
Financial Benefits of Reopening Tribal Casinos Smokefree
Tribal members Giizhigad (Christy B.) and Clinton Isham created the […]
E-Cigarettes, Part 3: Policy Guidance
A decade after the introduction of the e-cigarette, ANR reflects […]
E-Cigarette Edition, Part 2: Regulatory Landscape
A decade after the introduction of the e-cigarette, ANR reflects […]
E-Cigarettes, Part 1: Then and Now
A decade after the introduction of the e-cigarette, ANR reflects […]
Surgeon General Report: Smokefree Policies Assist with Smoking Cessation
The U.S. Surgeon General has released a comprehensive report on […]
Nothing Can Ruin New Year’s Eve Like Secondhand Smoke
As we wrap up the year, we are happy that […]
Season of Giving: A Message from the President and CEO
Like me, some of you have been a big part […]
Congratulations to San Francisco!
Yesterday, a truly overwhelming 80.5% of voters said No to […]
Clearing the Air on the Vaping Crisis
Weekly, we hear terrifying updates on the vaping crisis with [...]
Congratulations to the Oglala Sioux!
The Oglala Sioux Tribe is the first sovereign Tribal nation […]
Thumbs Up | Thumbs Down September 2019
Thumbs Up to Larry Merlo, President and Chief Executive Officer […]
Don’t be Fooled: JUUL Copies Big Tobacco’s Push for Self-Regulation
Michigan’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, was the first to announce that […]
California Governor’s Executive Order Takes Action to Address Youth Vaping Crisis
On September 16, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an […]
Federal Announcement Welcomed; Locals Lead the Way on Removing Flavored Tobacco
Last night, the city of Berkeley, California, became the latest […]
Fourth Confirmed Death Due to Severe Lung Illness Resulting from use of Electronic Smoking Devices
September 6, 2019 – Another innocent victim has lost their […]
Thumbs Up | Thumbs Down August 2019
Thumbs Down to Judge Joseph D. Russo for smoking e-cigarettes […]
Ending the Sale of Tobacco: Beverly Hills Leads the Way
California Cities are Looking for Policy Approaches to Curb the […]
Thumbs Up | Thumbs Down May 2019
Thumbs Up To longtime ANR supporter Ed Branca for advocating […]
Walgreens – The Leader in Illegal Tobacco Sales to Youth
Wow—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has named Walgreens America’s […]
Youth E-cigarette Use Declared an Epidemic
December 18, 2018—In a historic move, this morning the 20th […]
What the JUUL? New Tobacco Product, Same Industry Tactics
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a bold step […]
Protect Your Community: Electronic Smoking Device Fact Sheet
ANR Foundation’s fact sheet on Electronic Smoking Device information and […]
April 2018 Thumbs
Thumbs DOWN: to municipalities that don’t include e-cigarettes in their […]
