Liquid nicotine: selling poison by the barrel

Regardless of health, only money. This is what the article on the effects and health problems with nicotine, in general terms, suggests. A dangerous new form of a powerful stimulant is hitting markets across the world, for sale by the vial, the litre, and even the barrel.

Apparently, several studies and various health problems have come to light due to the use of liquid nicotine, used in e-cigarettes used by people to stop smoking tobacco. Rather than eradicate the problem, it is creating many others, both in children and in adults due to its chemical components and its capacity of absorption into the skin.

Although the  e-cigarettes, e-liquids are not regulated by US federal authorities, they are mixed on factory floors and in the back rooms of shops, and sold legally in stores and online in small bottles that are kept around the house for regular refilling of e-cigarettes.

Toxicologists warn that e-liquids represent a significant risk to human health; children, who may be attracted to its bright colors and fragrant scents and approach with the intention to try it without knowing that that can cause its death. It has been an increase on calls to toxicological centers due to the increase of sales, because not all the security measures necessary were made and said to the consumer.

Despite this, is trying to control sales and the concentrations at which this substance is sold, creating rules and regulations for the sale of the same. As it is said on the article by one professor at the University of California, who specialises in nicotine research, without proper precautions, like wearing gloves while mixing e-liquids, these products "represents a serious workplace hazard, and not only that, but danger to the consumer population.

All in all, whatever we consume has to be clear about the precautions that we have to take, or in this case what amount of liquid nicotine should be given to the electronic cigarette. It should be very clear the safety standards and be carried out rigorously. Quite simple, this article wants us to warn of what we can find and give us details of what has happened with the wrong use of a serious and dangerous substance.

I have chosen this article because i think that it is a very current topic due to laws against tobacco and the concern of the people towards their health and quitting smoking. Besides that I interne medical topic, I had never read about the harmful effects that electric cigarettes could have when it is assumed that it should produce only good effects.

LIQUID NICOTINE ARTICLE - www.theage.com.au

Laura Prieto - 1 Bach B