Greg Conley Speaks About E-Cig Warning Label Controversy

It’s the nicotine battle. Cigarettes verses the new kids on the block, electronic cigs. They both deliver nicotine, but when it comes to warnings on the packs, they’re very different.

Even though big tobacco companies make e-cigarettes, they’re voluntarily warning people about their danger.

Marlboro owns Mark Ten E-Cigs but warns on it’s packaging that ‘nicotine is addictive and habit forming.’ It even says it`s toxic if inhaled, if it comes in contact with the skin or if it’s swallowed.

Vuse E-Cig by Reynolds warns ‘it shouldn`t be used if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or you are at risk of heart disease or on medication for depression or asthma.’

Yet, on a regular pack of cigarettes, no mention of those illnesses, just a  Surgeon General’s warning that ‘smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal injury, premature birth and low birth weight.’

“All of which is true,” says Baptist Hospital Oncologist and Cancer Specialist Dr. Raymond Osarogiagbon. We asked him  about the difference in the warnings.

“It think this is a business decision these people have taken. As we know with tobacco companies, they have been ruthless, they have been very smart. It’s a win-win thing for them. They have a new more socially acceptable product that is super addictive and they can sale to a new market,” says Dr. Osarogiagbon.

Critics argue big tobacco is trying to snuff out smaller companies by telling people how dangerous all e-cigs are,  even the ones they make.

Philip Morris is the nation’s largest cigarette manufacturer, and the maker of Marlboro Cigarettes and Mark-Ten E-Cigs. They told WREG the FDA should establish uniform and science-based warning language for e-vapor products and in the absence of the government doing so, they have looked to a variety of sources to develop the packaging warnings they currently use.

The President of the American Vaping Association, Greg Conley, has doubts about the motives.

“This is a cigarette company trying to pretend they are protecting public health,” says Conley. “Big tobacco is absolutely targeting small business across this country. Their FDA comments back up they only want multi-million conglomerates to be in control of the market. “

At the vaping store Create a Cig in East Memphis, owners also think there is more behind the move.

“I think it’s pretty much part of their agenda to steer people back to cigarettes. It is just a good business decision on their part to try to make it look scarier to have an e-cig verses a cigarette,” says Aaron Lavene, owner of Create a Cig.

Some who quit cigarettes and started vaping agree.

“You would have to over consume to an incredible degree to get to the toxic levels,” says Bill Chamberlin, who moved from smoking regular cigarettes to vaping. “I am also wondering just how much of that warning is inflammatory.”

Still doctors say don’t miss the big picture.

“The point is public health and frankly a dangerous product, that is where we should keep our vision,” says Dr. Osarogiagbon.

Some have even speculated the new warnings from tobacco companies are designed to help them as they lobby for new laws.