E-cigarettes

[barbyann]

I had a post-surgical patient last night who was smoking one of those electronic cigarettes. He had been on another floor for a week using it and no one commented on it. Could not find a policy on them. Anyone have any experience with this situation? Is there a spark involved in it? Is there a nicotine/vasoconstriction concern? Is there a second hand effect? Does your hospital have a policy on them?

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

There is no spark in them.. They are battery operated. It is a water vapor solution. From what I have read from different journals and reviews etc on them there is no second hand smoke issue associated with them. They do not contain chemicals like a real cigarette. Some do contain nicotine (only) while others do not..

[criticalRN10]

They can have nicotine but none of the other chemicals... they haven't banned them indoors......yet. ... no spark concern they are battery operated with water vapor. No second hand smoke since it's once again water vapor

[sugarmagnoliaRN]

It's water vapor but a lot of them are flavored... my boyfriend has one, there are little drops you put it in to give it the flavor (and water I guess?) and it's battery operated... he does mention how you can technically smoke it indoors in places where you can't smoke cigarettes but I'd be pretty upset if I saw anyone smoking anything in the hospital!

[neuroms]

1. Remember that the majority of these DO contain nicotine by design, and thus carry the variety of effects associated with it. 2. The WHO has found poor quality control of the 'base' fluid, containing traces of toxic organic compounds like ethylene and diethylene glycol.