Several packages of Electronic Cigarettes were seized about two weeks ago at Australia’s Brisbane airport. An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette or personal vaporizer, is a battery-powered device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine by way of a vaporized solution. It is an alternative to smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. It is not considered an aid to quick smoking, just a safer alternative. The e-cigarettes give off a harmless water vapor that feels like smoking but doesn’t contain the bad smell, carbon monoxide, tar, or ash of a normal cigarette.

What was the reason for these electronic cigarettes getting seized? Health Protection Directorate executive director Sophie Dwyer said, “liquid nicotine was a very dangerous poison… If used inappropriately – or if children get hold of the liquid nicotine – the consequences can be fatal.” For this reason, e-cigs with nicotine are banned in Australia, however any e-cigs that are nicotine free are completely legal.

The World Health Program on Chemical Safety advises that 10mg of liquid nicotine can kill a child within five minutes of them swallowing it. The cartridges that contain the liquid nicotine are very strong, and they contain the liquid nicotine so you are unable to get to it. If a person swallowed the cartridge, it would be very harmful, nicotine inside or not. There are many other liquids that can kill you much quicker, like the cleaning products under your sink. It just seems overly precautious to ban these cigarettes because they think someone will try and break open the cartridge and deliberately, or accidentally drink the liquid nicotine. Classic cigarettes with tar, carbon monoxide, and ash must be better, no?