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The contents of the liquids vary widely, complicating research. Rob Tarran, director of the Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science at UNC-Chapel Hill, told the board that his researchers have found e-cigarettes have “significantly different effects in the lung.” “These changes appear consistent with immune compromise, so an increased chance of getting infections,” Tarran said. Tarran also drew a comparison between the testing performed on medicines, such as asthma inhalers, and electronic cigarette, noting medications have to undergo “rigorous toxicology and clinical testing” before being released onto the market. In contrast, the liquids used in e-cigarette devices have had none of this sort of scrutiny. “Their effects for inhalation are largely unknown,” he said, both for people vaping and those around them. It was this uncertainty that eventually won the evening. “Because the science is new, because the science is emerging, because there’s lots of disagreement about the science, I would feel more comfortable if we looked at what the Surgeon General had to say about the science surrounding e-cigarette use,” Bridger told the board after all the presentations were done. She reminded the board that the only thing they were allowed to consider in their decision-making process is the scientific evidence. “Let some national vetting of this science occur before you take any action,” Bridger said. Afterward, she reiterated her concerns about the state legislature overriding a board decision made on the basis of incomplete science. “There is the risk of the General Assembly saying, ‘Well, they’re just being politicians and that’s not what they’re supposed to do, so we’re going to just abolish them,’” Bridger said. “So that’s why we just want to be super, super safe on that.” repost:http://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2016/05/03/orange-county-health-officials-punt-on-e-cigarette- decision/