The CDC calls the e-cigarette findings alarming since the long-term effects of vaping remain largely unknown, and the findings have given new ammunition to those calling for stringent new regulations on electronic cigarettes.

OUR OPINION: One would have thought that the anti-smoking movement would have pulled out champagne and cigars (bubble gum ones, of course) to celebrate the success of their campaign to reduce teen smoking rates. Those of us who remember when nearly 50% of high school seniors were regular cigarette smokers see the fact that fewer than 10% of high school students smoke as a quantum shift in teen behaviors, for which anti-smoking activists should take credit.

However…those who are overly alarmed that some teens are trying (or using) electronic cigarettes should spend a little time reviewing the literature on teens and risky behavior. A certain percentage of teenagers are going to experiment with whatever substances or devices are available – and 13% is a number which represents experimentation, not a pervasive trend.

Of course, there should be age restrictions on availability of e-cigs. However, there are certainly age restrictions on alcohol purchase, and the CDC reports that 35% of US high school students drink (and 21% binge drink). 27 percent of high schoolers have used illegal drugs over the past year – and, need we say, they are completely illegal. “Huffing” inhalants and solvents is almost as common among younger teens as e-cig use is among older ones, yet the last time we checked it’s still legal to purchase paint thinner and glue.

Less panic and more common sense might seem to be in order. But then again, that’s not the approach that the anti-vapers (or anti-smokers, for that matter) seem to take very often.

First, the obvious. Researchers found that would-be quitters were much more successful when they used e-cigarettes daily, instead of just occasionally. 14 percent of those who vaped every day were able to reduce their tobacco smoking by at least half, while only six percent of the test subjects who vaped just occasionally were able to drastically lower their tobacco consumption.

OUR OPINION: We don’t know if the same researchers have concluded that running every day will keep you in better shape than running every once in a while, but we wouldn’t be surprised.

Here’s the more interesting finding: smokers who switched to tank-style vaporizers were much more likely to quit cigarettes than those using simpler cartridge-type e-cigs. Nearly one-third of those vaping with a tank model were able to quit tobacco, while only 13 percent of the “cigalike” (traditional ecig) users had given up smoking. Researchers were unable to determine the exact reasons why there’s such a big difference, but they theorize that tanks are able to deliver nicotine to the user more efficiently and provide greater satisfaction for the users.

OUR OPINION: The latter theory would certainly make sense to most dedicated vapers.

The research was conducted at King’s College London. Approximately 1,500 smokers participated in the studies.

Sales of electronic cigarettes, as measured by sales at convenience stores, have dropped nearly 20% over the first six months of 2014. One industry analyst at Cowen & Co., Vivian Azer, claims the drop has occurred because consumers aren’t satisfied with existing e-cigs on the market. Azer says smokers are likely to try the devices, but aren’t happy enough with the experience to commit to vaping long-term.

But another analyst, this one at Wells Fargo, thinks the numbers aren’t reflective of real trends. Bonie Herzog thinks the lower sales at convenience stores can be explained by several other factors. They include a greater market penetration of starter kits (which would mean lower sales of electronic cigarettes as vapers only would need to purchase replacement cartridges), and a shift in the market toward higher-end e-cigarette products such as mods and vaporizers which aren’t sold in convenience stores.

First Hand Smoke also notes that online sales aren’t tracked by the convenience store data, which would also skew any effort to read a major decline in overall sales into this limited information.

The group represents more than 70,000 members. Its call doesn’t reference any specific effects of e-cigarettes. It instead says that the combination of the health effects seen due to smoking, past “deceit” by the tobacco industry involving known health risks and marketing to children, and the prospect of continued nicotine addiction by users argue for a “cautious” approach to e-cigs.

FIRS calls for independent, impartial studies on the effects of vaping, and a go-slow approach until that research is made public. It also says that if countries do allow the use of the devices, they should be regulated either as tobacco or medicinal products.

The statement was authored by a past president of the American Thoracic Society, Dr. Dean Schraufnagel.

OUR OPINION: According to this logic, the fact that Coca-Cola used to contain small amounts of cocaine (and the fact that the company continues to insist – despite all evidence – that the drug was never an ingredient) might argue for a ban on soft drinks.

Nixon says he vetoed the bill because it would have given e-cigs an exemption from other laws regulating tobacco, such as taxes and sales restrictions, and called the proposal a “special loophole” for tobacco companies who have moved full blast into the e-cigarette market. Nixon is calling on lawmakers to put together a more comprehensive proposal to regulate vapor products.

A number of organizations representing the electronic cigarette industry have blasted Nixon for his veto, saying that it should have been an easy decision for the governor to prohibit the sale of the devices to those under 18. Nearly half the states in the U.S. have already done so, and groups like the American Vaping Association is calling on Missouri’s legislature to override the veto in the name of “common sense.” They say it’s clear that American public opinion is in favor of age limits and against treating ecigs like regular cigarettes, with only few states regulating the devices under tobacco laws.

Major health groups including the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association had called on Governor Nixon to veto the legislation.

Anti-smoking crusader Rick Bender has been named as an advisor to American Heritage International, a producer of disposable e-cigs.

Bender has been lecturing on the hazards of tobacco use for 24 years, after contracting cancer blamed on tobacco when he was 26. He’s lost large portions of his tongue and jaw as well as the use of one arm after multiple cancer surgeries.

He explains his decision by saying that ecigs are “the biggest single agent of change the world has ever seen.” He says he chose to join American Heritage because the company doesn’t market novelty flavors or “fancy delivery devices,” and only markets to existing smokers.

Bender joins former “Winston Man” David Goerlitz, another long-time anti-smoking activist, on the company’s advisory board.