Doctors are warning smokers to approach the latest quit smoking gimmick with skepticism. Dr. Michael Miller, a Wisconsin physician who specializes in addiction treatment, says any claims to the effectiveness of the so-called ‘e-cigarette’ ought to be taken as just that – claims. “They have not been tested confirm safety and efficacy, and any claims of efficacy are anecdotal,” said Miller. “And every product is actually somewhat different: how they’re actually constructed, how much nicotine is in them, when they are turned on how much nicotine is delivered.”
The American Medical Association wants e-cigarettes regulated like other drug delivery devices, and recently adopted that policy at a meeting in Chicago. “It’s a patient safety issue. People are certainly going to want to try these products if they’re put out there, but we just don’t know enough about the safety and efficacy of the electronic cigarette to endorse their use at all.”
Miller says a lot of smokers are “looking for something to get them to the promised land” and he encourages them to continue their efforts to quit using approved approaches, such as nicotine patches, gum or inhalers combined with counseling to kick the habit.