In a statement released by the American Heart Association, they described electronic cigarettes as a possible last recourse that could help smokers quit their unhealthy habit, a notion that was backed by the American Cancer Society.
Both these agencies have initially been concerned about the popularity of these products, urging the public to use them in regulation and it to keep them away from younger users. If a person would like to quit smoking, they stressed the importance of using tried and tested smoking cessation methods. However, they acknowledged that if those methods fail, then using electronic cigarettes could be a logical choice. Dr. Elliott Antman, President of the American Heart Association said that "it is reasonable to have a conversation" about the use of these devices if conventional methods of cessation are unsuccessful. The Cancer Society expressed a similar sentiment when they said that using electronic cigarettes "may be a reasonable option" for people who find it difficult to quit smoking despite counseling and trying other approved methods.
These battery-operated devices are used to vaporize nicotine, producing substances that are less toxic than those from traditional cigarettes. However, further studies have to be conducted to determine substantial health effects. Some groups believe that electronic cigarettes only encourage smoking because people will be able to continue their habit in places where cigarettes are not allowed. Others see them as a form of "harm reduction," saying that they are a less risky method of indulging a craving for nicotine for people who want to quit smoking.
Tom Glynn, top scientist for the Cancer Society, says that that use of this device "is probably the most important and most contentious issue that the tobacco community is dealing with right now." At the moment there is no evidence pointing to the effectiveness of using this method to help stop smoking. Glynn added, "We need hard-nosed regulation for E-cigarettes and we need more research. We need to have people stop smoking combustible cigarettes."
