Inhaled Insulin?

In an article by CNN.com, the FDA advisory panel ok's a new form of treatment for diabetes, inhaled insulin. It is estimated that over 18 million people have diabetes and this number is said to have tripled during the past 25 years. There is the Type 2 diatabetes (the more common one) that inhaled insulin would help more people control their sugar levels, while Type 1 would still need injections during the day for longer-lasting control of their blood sugar. Inhaled insulin is easier to use than injections, especially for the individuals who don't like using needles daily. Also, it is just as effective as the injected insulin that people are using now to control their diabetes. However, drug representatives are asking that the long-term effects of the drug be studied until 2019. Also there is concern as to whether or not the drug is effective if inhaled by a smoker or someone that had lung disease. There is even more talk about tablets being produced to also take the place on the insulin shots that many people dislike taking daily.

Even though there are still some skeptics on the manufacturing of the new inhaled insulin, it can still be beneficial for most people with diabetes. Are there any opportunity costs to using the inhaled insulin? Would this drug be popular on the market as compared to injectable insulin, would people want to change from what they are familiar using (especially when it comes to medications)? If the inhaled insulin is found not to be effective on those who smoke or have lung cancer, will the drug still be widely distributed, or will it lose a lot of potential users?