E-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals, FDA says

WASHINGTON -- Federal health officials said yesterday that they have found cancer-causing ingredients in electronic cigarettes, despite manufacturers' claims the products are safer than tobacco cigarettes.

The Food and Drug Administration said testing of products from two leading electronic cigarette makers turned up several toxic chemicals, including a key ingredient in antifreeze.

"Little is known about these products, including how much nicotine is there and what other chemicals may be there," said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, the FDA's deputy commissioner.

FDA scientists said they tested 19 varieties of cigarettes, half of which contained forms of nitrosamine, a carcinogen known to cause cancer in humans. Many products that claimed to contain no nicotine had low levels of the stimulant. Agency officials said the "quality-control processes used to manufacture these products are inconsistent or nonexistent."

Brands tested by the agency included Smoking Everywhere, marketed by a Florida-based company, and NJoy Cigarettes, based in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Electronic Cigarette Association represents the companies; it had no immediate comment.

Public-health advocates have complained the products are aimed at young people and can serve as a "gateway" to tobacco smoking. Many come in flavors.

"Tobacco-industry research has demonstrated that fruit and candy flavors increase the social acceptance of cigarettes and curiosity to try the product," said Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Tobacco Consortium.

Because electronic cigarettes are not covered by federal tobacco laws, they are also often easier for young people to buy.

Electronic cigarettes produce a nicotine mist absorbed directly into the lungs. Most can easily pass as a tobacco cigarette with slim white bodies and glowing amber tips. They even emit what look like puffs of white smoke.

Manufacturers have touted the products as a healthier alternative to smoking because there is no burning involved, and they don't contain the same hazardous cocktail of cancer-causing chemicals.

R.J. Reynolds spokesman David Howard said the company is focused on being the "total tobacco company," pointing to its products like dissolvable tobacco, rather than technology such as e-cigarettes.

Neither Reynolds nor Henrico County-based Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA market electronic cigarettes.