AF Warnings on E-Cigs

Week of August 30, 2010

The Air Force surgeon general has issued a memo alerting all Airmen about safety concerns regarding electronic cigarettes, a new type of nicotine product. The e-cig contains a cartridge filled with nicotine, which is delivered to the user as a vapor and mimics the appearance of smoke. One sample of an e-cig tested by the Food and Drug Administration contained diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze. E-cigs are considered to be in the same category as tobacco products, the use of which is governed by Air Force Instruction 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force. This new product will be included in the upcoming revision of AFI 40-102 due out this fall.