E-Cigarettes (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) Explained

"Electronic nicotine delivery devices such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that deliver nicotine, flavorings (e.g., fruit, mint, and chocolate), and other chemicals via an inhaled aerosol. E-cigarettes that are marketed without a therapeutic claim by the product manufacturer are currently not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (1).*"

"* Currently, e-cigarettes and their components, such as the nicotine they contain, that are intended for therapeutic purposes (e.g., for smoking cessation) are drug/device combination products. When they are marketed for therapeutic purposes they are regulated by the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products currently regulates cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. FDA has stated its intention to issue a proposed rule extending FDA's tobacco product authorities beyond these products to include other products like e-cigarettes not intended for therapeutic purposes."