Description and History

• "E-cigarettes" or electronic cigarettes are made of long stainless steel tubes with chambers to hold replaceable cartridges filled with various concentrations and flavors of liquid nicotine. They are powered by a rechargeable battery, and because the vapor produced is odorless and doesn't contain tar or carbon monoxide, the manufacturers say their products don't put people at risk for second-hand smoke inhalation.
• At the time of the enactment of the Tobacco-Free Regulation, E-cigarettes were not an important factor to consider.

Evidence Reviewed on the Issue

• The FDA has not evaluated any e-cigarettes for safety or effectiveness.
• When the FDA conducted limited laboratory studies of certain samples, FDA found significant quality issues that indicate that quality control processes used to manufacture these products are substandard or non-existent. FDA found that cartridges labeled as containing no nicotine contained nicotine and that three different electronic cigarette cartridges with the same label emitted a markedly different amount of nicotine with each puff.
• Experts have also raised concerns that the marketing of products such as e-cigarettes can increase nicotine addiction among young people and may lead kids to try other tobacco products.

• The high cost of the apparatus and refills.
• The unknown effect of the nicotine carrier on the lung in its vaporized state.
• The effect of the E-cigarette on patients attempting to quit cigarette use by introducing cues and triggers into the treatment environment.
• Free NRT is available through the NYS DOH/NYS OASAS program for OASAS-certified facilities.
• Limited research on the effects/success of this form of treatment

Provider Concerns on the Issue

• The need for a consistent policy across the OASAS provider system.

Policy Statement

• It is the NYS OASAS policy as of this date that E-cigarettes should be prohibited in a similar fashion as tobacco containing products in the NYS OASAS provider system.

For more information read our FYI on New Smoking / Nicotine Products

10/2010