If you've thought about curbing your smoking habit with the help of the electronic cigarette or e-cigarette -- a lithium battery-powered device that generates inhaled doses of nicotine by delivering a vaporized propylene glycol/nicotine solution -- you may want to sidestep this potentially toxic alternative, according to reports issued by the FDA.

Made overseas (primarily in China) and sold by two U.S. companies, e-cigarettes contained not only the highly addictive nicotine but -- depending on the batch -- various carcinogens, including nitrosamines, and diethylene glycol, a compound used to make antifreeze.

Although the FDA blocked e-cigarettes from being imported to the U.S. in March, kits ranging from $99-130 that come with a "pack" of five cartridges containing varying levels of nicotine can be purchased in stores and online. Even more alarming, cartridges come in flavors, such as bubblegum, chocolate and mint, that may attract kids and young adults looking for a "safer" alternative to smoking, the FDA says.

The status of e-cigarettes in America remains very much up in the air, with the FDA seizing shipments at its borders and Florida-based Smoking Everywhere's recent lawsuit arguing that the agency overreached by banning shipments and insisting their product be evaluated through the typical drug approval process. Meanwhile, the market for e-cigarettes has grown into a $100 million industry, according to the Electronic Cigarette Association.

The Baltimore Sun July 27, 2009

healthfinder.gov July 22, 2009

The Detroit News July 7, 2009