E-Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes have become hugely popular in the United States since their U.S. introduction in 2007. The devices, which currently are not regulated by the federal government, deliver nicotine, the addictive substance in conventional cigarettes, through a vapor, without burned tobacco's toxic tar and smoke. Advocates say e-cigarettes could free users from addiction to deadly cigarettes. About 42 million American adults smoke tobacco, and half of the heaviest users will die prematurely. But critics say e-cigarettes will entice many more Americans, including teenagers, to become hooked on tobacco. E-cigarette makers include not only small companies but also major tobacco companies such as Lorillard and Altria, which see the devices as a promising business opportunity as sales of conventional cigarettes soften. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing more than 82,000 public comments on a proposal to regulate e-cigarettes, but it could be years before the rules go into effect.