Discussion: Are e-cigarettes a less harmful alternative than tobacco?

E-cigarettes have been around for about 10 years and are popular, especially among young people. E-cigarettes are based on a tiny (battery-powered) heating element that heats a liquid that becomes aerosol and inhaled into the airways. Different manufacturers have different fillers. It would seem that e-cigarettes are less harmful because they do not contain tar, and nicotine levels are significantly lower than tobacco. There is no unanimity on the matter, but formaldehyde in some e-cigarettes is recognized as a carcinogen! The answer is not equivocal. The fact that the FDA banned only one brand emphasizes that E-cigarettes are not appropriately regulated.