About eCigs HQ

eCigsHQ.com is dedicated to providing real and unbiased e-cigarette reviews for current users of electronic cigarette products, as well as those who are considering switching from tobacco cigarettes to a healthier alternative.

While no conclusive published studies have proven that electronic smoking devices are in fact, effective tobacco smoking cessation devices, it has been our experience that these products often allow smokers to significantly diminish their tobacco use, and a many cases eliminate it — better than current therapies including Nicotine patches, gum, inhalers, and lozenges; Chantix, Champix (Varenicline); Zyban (Bupropion); hypnosis; acupuncture; and other approved treatments.

The FDA hams it up

We have found the FDA’s actions in regard to electronic smoking devices to be wrong-headed at best, and at worst, harmful to the public good.

While we are not adverse to testing and standards for electronic smoking mechanisms — we in fact support the idea — the FDA’s ham-fisted tactics — later overruled in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in Sottera, Inc. v. Food & Drug Administration — demonstrate that government regulations and policies can often have harmful effects despite the best intentions.

By seizing imported shipments of e-cigarettes — prior to Sottera — the FDA almost certainly did more harm than good by forcing smokers, who might have otherwise reduced or eliminated their tobacco use via the use of electronic smoking devices, to remain dependent upon tobacco as their preferred source of Nicotine. Unfortunately, such backwards policies remain the status quo in Canada where e-cig shipments are regularly intercepted and seized by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Can a nascent industry self-regulate?

The nascent electronic smoking industry is not wholly without blame in this regard either. In an effort to maximize profits, disreputable manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and retailers have too often foisted second-rate goods on an unknowing smoking public desperate for a better way to quit.

Industry groups like the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association (TVECA) have begun to make inroads in the areas of self-regulation, standards, and disclosure and are to be applauded for their efforts, but as we know, the industry has a long way to go when it comes to assuring the public — and government agencies — that electronic smoking products are both safe and effective.

A bias prone business model

Further inviting government intervention is the online sales model that is basically composed of retail/manufacturer websites, and “review” sites. e-cigarette “review” sites are almost invariably owned by and operated by affiliates of the e-cig retailers/manufacturers. This is an obvious (albeit legal) conflict of interest, as the affiliates are only paid commissions for sales referred from their websites. This business model results in almost uniformly positive product reviews, as affiliates don’t earn commissions — usually the site’s main if not only source of income — for warning consumers about sub-standard products. The bias is all too obvious and consumers have learned to be wary of “review” sites, casting the entire industry in a less-than-flattering light.

A step in the right direction

While we at eCigsHQ understand that our ability to effect positive change within the industry is limited, we have dedicated our efforts in this regard to providing consumers with real and unbiased reviews of electronic cigarette smoking devices.

While we too are an affiliate site (we are paid commissions for referring sales of e-cigarette kits, refill cartridges and accessories), we have decided to write and publish only what is true — in our opinion, of course — and let the chips fall where they may.

We accept that we have and will be barred and banned by certain affiliate programs, but we believe strongly that this will be to our benefit as the e-smoking public recognizes our efforts and continue to visit our site for reliable advice concerning the best and the worst electronic cigarettes for many years to come.

Finally, we would like to thank you for visiting our site and hope you find the time to return in the not-too-distant future. We would also like to take this opportunity to find out what you think. We encourage you to leave your feedback in the comments on this page or contacting us directly by using our Contact form. We value your opinion, and any personal contact information shared will be held in the strictest confidence. We will NEVER spam you.

Sincerely,
Laura Brady
Christian Hollander
Anne Metzger
The Editors
eCigs HQ