Peg O’Connell: E-cigs still not safe

Regarding your Aug. 16 Focus article “UNC scientists: E-cigarettes not best way to stop smoking”: While it is true that e-cigarettes are still being studied for their impact on health, we do know that nicotine, which is what someone gets when using one of these products, is very dangerous and addicting.

This is especially true for children and pregnant women. We already know the link between conditions encountered during fetal development, including smoking, with low birth weight and adult onset diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. New studies are investigating the effect of nicotine in e-cigarettes on the fetus, including the effect on the genes and brain development.

We know for sure that nicotine crosses the placenta and can have negative effects on the heart, lungs and nervous system of the developing baby. Imagine what happens when a developing baby gets a straight shot of nicotine. And what if a child found a berry-flavored e-juice cartridge?

Nicotine is a poison. We use it to kill insects. Imagine what it could do to a toddler.

Dr. Adam Goldstein and his colleagues are wise to warn against e-cigarettes. They are not safe. The only question remaining is how “unsafe” they really are.

This story was originally published September 5, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Peg O’Connell: E-cigs still not safe."