Is An Electronic Cigarette Better Than A Normal Cigarette?
Cigarette smoking is now widely considered to be one of the worst habits possible. The noxious fumes from the commonly accepted ‘cancer stick’ are known to be dangerous to smokers as well as nonsmokers who happen to be in the vicinity. In recent years, nearly every country in the world has banned public smoking in common outdoor areas. As we all know, smokers have to move to designated smoking areas to indulge their habits. In recent years too, rising awareness about cigarette smoking has also managed to prod active smokers in to trying to kick the habit. But it has not been easy. The psychological, physical and emotional crutch of a nicotine fix means that most smokers eventually fall back into the habit. But then companies produced the electronic cigarette.
What does the electronic cigarette do and when was it invented?
An electronic cigarette is an electrical device that imitates the act of smoking tobacco. The machine produces a mist which contains a liquid nicotine flavored smoke. The advantage with an electronic cigarette is that it produces the same taste and flavor as that of a natural cigarette but without the secondary smoke which is the cause of health problems. The machine is essentially a battery-run nicotine dispenser which doses out nicotine in measured doses through a vaporizer. The very first electrical cigarette was first patented in 1963 by Herbert A. Gilbert. Initially, the cigarette was conceived as an alternative for smokers who wanted to quit smoking. However, with time, the cigarette also became an alternative for smokers who used the cigarette as a safer option to continue smoking in public places. The latest modern version of the electronic cigarette was invented by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik in 2003. The electronic cigarette has been exported all over the world and quickly became popular by 2007.
Parts of an electronic cigarette Most electronic cigarettes are made to mimic natural cigarettes but their inner workings are very different. Each cigarette is essential made of three separate parts- 1. The cartridge of an electronic cigarette is essentially the mouthpiece. It is designed to hold a small amount of liquid which is vaporized and then breathed in by the patient. An absorbent sponge holds the liquid. The sponge is placed on a wall which separates it from the mouth. The mouthpiece has special side vents by which the smoke or mist is directed towards the mouth. There are also versions which also have drip liquid reservoirs by which the liquid is dripped on to the atomizer directly and vaporized into the mouth. These versions will have special mouthpieces. 2. The atomizer is a special heating part in charge of vaporizing the fluid that is present in the reservoir. The cartridge or the mouthpiece is present at one side and the power unit attaches to the other end of the cigarette. The atomizer tends to burn out after some time as it collects sediment from the liquid. It then has to be replaced with a new unit or a completely new cigarette. To cut down on expenses, a few manufacturers now have combination mouthpiece/atomizer units which are much more affordable for users. Manufacturers make several different types of liquids that are dripped on to the heating element. The liquid is usually referred to as electronic-liquid or electronic-juice. The juice also has several different types of nicotine concentrations. For example, low dose liquids contain about of 6–8 mg/ml of nicotine, while midrange liquids contain 10–14 mg/ml. High dose liquids contain about 16–18 mg/ml of nicotine while extra-high doses of liquids contain 24–36 mg/ml of nicotine. 3. Power units are generally attached to the other end of the atomizer unit. The power source generally is made up of a lithium iron battery which is charged through an USB connection. The heating element is activated by drawing air through the mouthpiece. The element has an integral cut off unit which prevents overheating. The electronic heating element can be charge directly through AC connections too.
Health Concerns In recent years, the FDA has raised doubts about the use of the electronic cigarette. The FDA has tested liquids that were used in more than 19 different varieties of electronic cigarettes. A few were contaminated with Diethylene glycol which is a carcinogenic material. As a result, the FDA has suggested that only approved electronic cigarettes be used by consumers. This is also in direct contrast to the American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) which has strongly supported the use of an electronic cigarette by adults.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Electronic Cigarette
The electronic cigarette is often times more affordable than normal cigarettes. They are also legally allowed in many states which have banned cigarette smoking. A single cartridge is comparable to 20 individual cigarettes and it can cost anywhere from 20% to about 40% less than normal cigarettes. There is also a significant environmental advantage to the use of the electronic cigarette as it cuts down on the amount of waste that is produced by an individual person while discarding cigarette butts. However, there is a significant problem with contaminated liquids that are supplied by cheap liquid vendors. As a result, users have to choose high quality liquids. Vendors may try to sell vapor products which are high in vapor volume. This means that the vapor will completely mimic natural cigarette smoke.
Popular Brands in the Market In recent years, the electronic cigarette has become very popular. A large range of brands and companies have entered the market. Although, we cannot recommend any brand, in particular, there are a few brands which are really popular. For example, V2 is a very popular brand in the US. The company makes several different types of flavors like menthol, vanilla dreams and mocha mist. Another popular company is the SmokeTip Company which makes equally great electronic cigarettes. The company has a electronic cigarette starter kit which is really affordable and parts and the liquid is available all over the US. Elites are another popular local brand. This company is great for local US users as the e-cigs are made in the US. At present, they’ve released a very popular local brand called the G9 battery which can provide smokers with more than 400 puffs. Make sure that you research every brand of the electronic cigarette before you make a purchase.
An electronic cigarette often called “An electrical nicotine delivery system”, is a device that simulates the act of smoking regular cigarettes. It produces a mist that usually bears a similar appearance, physical sensation, and flavor of inhaled smoke created by tabacco cigarattes.
Most of the electronic cigarette products are highly portable and are often shaped similar to tobacco cigarattes. However, you can also find such devices that are desinged after pipes and cigars. Most electronic cigarette products are reusable and can be refilled and recharged.
History Of The Electronic Cigarette
In 2003, the electronic cigarette was first developed by pharmacist Hon Lik in Beijing, China. Hon Lik invented the device after his father, a heavy cigarette smoker, dies from lung cancer.
In 2006 the electronic cigarette was introduced to Europe. It was introduced to the U.S market in 2007, and is rapidly growing in popularity.
In September 2008 the WHO states that the e-cig is not a legitimate cessation aid to smoking. WHO also demanded that electrical cigarette marketers should immediately stop making suggestions that the WHO considers the electronic cigarette to be effective and safe.
A study funded by Ruyan in 2009, the first company to produce the electronic cigarette, conducts a detailed analysis that concludes that toxicants are present, but only below a harmful level. Basically, the study deemed that the electronic cigarette is a safe alternative to tabacco cigarattes.
Australia in January 2009, bans the sale and possesssion of any electronic cigarette that contains nicotine. Their reasoning behind this is that any form of nicotine exempt for replacement cigarettes and therapies are classified as poison.
The FDA in March 2009, also banned the import of the electronic cigarette. The FDA directed the USCBP to deny the entry of e-cigs into the U.S. Canada also bans the sale and import of the electronic cigarette. The Canadian government strongly urge Canadians not to use the electronic cigarette, as they contain an irriant known as Propylene Glycol.
In May 2009 ASH calls for FDA regulations of the electronic cigarette. The Electronic Cigarette Association was was also formed in may 2009. This association is made up of distributors, retailers, and producers, whose goal is to speak for the electronic cigarette community. FDA started tests on two electronic cigarette brands from Smoking EveryWhere and Njoy. FDA tests revealed that the cartidges contained one percent of a toxic substance known as diethylene glycol. The tests also revealed that the electronic cigarettes contains nitrosamines which is a cancer-causing substance. In addition, the electronic cigarette is labeled as zero nicotine where revealed by the test to contain nicotine.
In June 2009, President Obama gave the FDA the power to regulate the tobacco industry. New tobacco products trying to enter the U.S market must first meet the FDA standards.
Exponent, a scientific consulting firm, reviewed in July 2009 FDA’s study of the electronic cigarette. The report was commissioned by Njoy and it contained criticism of poor standards of analysis and documentation of FDA approved nicotine therapy replacements. Many state legislators passed laws in July 2009, that regulates the use and sale of the electronic cigarette.
Electronic Cigarette Side Affects and Dangers
There are some health organizations that warn consumers about the dangers of the electronic cigarette, while other health organisations claim that such devices can be beneficial. Manufactures often advertise that electronic cigarettes are a safer way to intake nicotine. While the electronic cigarette is considered to be safer than actual tobacco cigarettes, they are still not completely safe.
Diethylene Glycol is an anti-freeze component that is usually found in electronic cigarettes. It is toxic and can cause health issues if inhaled. This is a major e-cig side effect.
Many health organizations have criticized the marketing strategies of electronic cigarette producers. Brands that produce such devices often claim that electronic cigarettes have health benefits without any evidence. In addition, e-cigarettes are often provided with various flavors such as chocolate, mint, orange, etc. This often promotes smoking rather than discouraging the use of it. There are concerns that electronic cigarettes will attract minors to smoking.
Most electronic cigarette devices use nicotine. Nicotine is the basic element found in tobacco cigarettes and can be addictive. Also, nicotine is an alkaloid component that can be very harmful for humans. A long drag on an electronic cigarette can actually make you suck up liquid nicotine into your mouth, which is very damaging for your health.
Tetramethylpyrazine is another harmful component found in the electronic cigarette. Tetramethylpyrazine is known to cause brain damage to human beings.
There are also concerns of misuse of these electronic devices. There are reports that the liquid nicotine in the electronic devices had been substituted with a potent marijuana resin. Use of illicit drugs in these devices can be harmful.
FDA and other health organizations are concerned about quality control, since there are hundreds of manufacturers in the U.S alone. Some manufacturers have not adequately disclosed the ingredients inside these e-cigarettes. In addition, the amount of nicotine labeled on the devices sometimes do not match the real amount inside the cartridges.
Harmful chemicals, nicotine, and flavorings found in theelectronic cigarette may have cancerous effects on a body. Nevertheless, there are no studies that have proven the carcinogenic health risks of the electronic cigarette.
Nicotine Content In The Electronic Cigarette
Also, nicotine is known to cause heart aliments. However, you can reduce this risk by not using cartridges that contain no nicotine.
Nicotine levels in the electronic cigarette can be as much or more than regular cigarettes. However, consumers can choose different levels of nicotine when they purchase the cartridge. Some cartridges do not have any nicotine.
An electronic cigarette can be quite costly. The are various prices depending on the design, style, model, and manufacturer. Typically a kit containing a battery, cartridges, and an electronic cigarette cost over 100 dollars. Refilling cartridges is usually cheap and less expensive than actual cigarettes.
The truth is, no electronic cigarette company has been approved by any health organizations. That is why there are some countries such as Canada and Australia that have banned these devices. However, many do agree that the electronic cigarette can be an safer alternative to tobacco smoking.
The electronic cigarette uses special liquids solutions to create the vapor that replaces the sensation of smoke and provides the user with nicotine. This liquid is often flavored to resemble the taste of a real tobacco product. Some producers of this solution have added other flavors, such as vanilla or coffee, to make the electronic cigarette an even more enjoyable sensation.
The liquids in the electronic cigarette, whatever their content or flavor, are all made from either propylene glycol or glycerin. They are vaporized inside the device by a heating element known as the atomizer. Then, through a special series of passages in the electronic cigarette cartridge, the smoker can inhale this mist and enjoy the flavor and ingestion of nicotine without producing tobacco smoke. Not only does this prevent the health hazard of secondhand smoke for those around the smoker, it turns the practice of smoking traditional cigarettes into a very personal pastime.
The liquids that these electronic cigarette use are packaged in two different ways. There are disposable cartridges that already come with a supply of the fluid. When this supply runs out, a smoker can either buy a new cartridge or try to refill the cartridge he or she already has. You can refill the cartridge of the electronic cigarette with supplies of this solution that are kept in bottles.
These bottles, meant to refill, typically contain water mixed with propylene glycol or glycerin. Mixed with this solution are a certain amount of nicotine and possibly some flavoring ingredients, depending on what kind of liquid for the electronic cigarette that the producer wants to market.
Types of Flavors in the Electronic Cigarette
There is an essentially unlimited number of flavorings that are possible with the electronic cigarette liquid. The most common, however, are flavors that resemble those of traditional smoking. People who use the electronic cigarettes are often doing so to replace their smoking habit. However, they still want this activity to resemble cigarettes as much as possible. The taste of smoke is something many ex-smokers miss. This flavor helps replace that taste. In some cases, manufacturers of these liquids for the electronic cigarette market their flavor as something resembling one of the popular brands of electronic devices.
Other producers of the electronic cigarette create and sell more exotic tastes in these liquids. This not only makes it a more enjoyable experience for ex-smokers, but also attracts people who have never smoked because they were repelled by the traditional smells associated with smoking. Popular flavors for these electronic cigarette include strawberry, Boston cream pie, cola and others.
Nicotine Content of the Electronic Cigarette
The addictive substance content of the liquids used in the electronic cigarette are a topic of some controversy. While this device is meant to avoid the health hazards associated with tobacco smoke, it unabashedly markets itself as a nicotine delivery device, much like a fix patch but much more enjoyable. The liquids are sold with varying amounts of nicotine in order to allow the user to decide how much he or she needs. Some critics have commented negatively on the unrestricted nature of this content. Some claim that the doses are not adequately described with these liquids. However, the electronic cigarette generally stays within the following parameters in regard to the addictive content in the flavored liquid of each cartridge.
• Low doses, as described on the packaging of the device, are usually less than eight milligrams per milliliter of liquid. • Doses that are described as medium typically deliver about 10-14 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid in the cartridge. • Doses described as high contain roughly 16-18 milligrams in every milliliter of liquid. • There are also extra-high doses that have considerably greater addictive content. These reportedly reach levels approximating 24-36 milligrams per milliliter.
Tests done to determine the amount of nicotine received by users of the electronic cigarette have shown that the actual levels of this substance found in these liquids can vary greatly from what is found on the label. This has aroused the ire of some who suspect that this device is selling nicotine through a different channel. The biggest controversy has arisen due to the product being marketed to children in some areas. Until recently, this product could be sold to minors legally in New Hampshire. Since the device is technically not a real tobacco product, the tobacco laws and restrictions passed by legislatures in most states did not apply. This made it very easy for children to use the electronic cigarette and get a rush from nicotine.
How the Electronic Cigarette Works
The liquids that are inhaled from the electronic cigarette through one of two methods. When it flows out of a cartridge, it moves to the interior of the cigarette where it is vaporized by a heated filament. The vapor then flows back to the smoker’s mouth through passages that are designed to prevent actual liquid from flowing back. This is crucial in order to prevent the smoker from aspirating fluids. Some devices use a special sponge inserted in the cartridge of the electronic cigarette to ensure that only vapor returns to the smoker’s mouth.
Electronic Cigarette Legal History
The electronic cigarette is such a new product that there are presently few if any laws prohibiting or restricting its use in any part of the world. In fact, though its use resembles smoking and delivers nicotine into the user’s body, it is even available to minors in most areas. In the short time that it has been sold to the international public, it has received both praise and criticism. Praise has been directed at its alleged ability to change smoking habits and assist smokers in adding the danger of inhaling smoked tobacco to the danger of ingesting nicotine. Critics have directed their attention to the unrestricted delivery of nicotine and the potential the electronic cigarette has as a gateway drug.
The Electronic Cigarette in Europe
The European Union has made some legal efforts against the electronic cigarette. However, these efforts have not resulted in any definitive decision regarding its usage and/or restriction. As a consequence, there are varying laws in the different member countries of the European Economic Union.
A directive of the EU regarding product safety could be applied to the electronic cigarette. This ordinance states that measures can be taken against products which are found to be harmful to the safety of citizens and others in the European Economic Union. However, no such charge has been successfully made by any entity on the continent against the electronic cigarette.
The electronic cigarette could also find itself subject to an additional EU directive regarding medical devices. However, there has been no determination in any country of the device’s classification as a medical product. Indeed, this uncertainty in classification is a problem confronted by all international and national efforts regarding this device. As of yet, no country in the EU has defined electronic cigarettes as a medical device and, therefore, have made no restrictions on its use.
The Electronic Cigarette in the United States
The electronic cigarette receives different forms of treatment under the laws of the various states in the United States of America. Due to the legal arrangement between the states and the federal government under the Constitution, questions must generally arise at the state level before they are taken up by federal courts. So far, critics of the electronic cigarette have taken a number of legal actions against this product in various states. In 2010, specific federal cases were decided in regards to the electric cigarettes.
In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took action against the electronic cigarette and classified it as a drug delivery device which would consequently be subject to department regulations. This was a controversial move, as manufacturers have not marketed the device as a drug or as a medical product. They challenged this ruling and a federal district court judge overruled it in 2010, stating in his verdict that the electronic cigarette should be classified as a tobacco product and not as a medical product.
The FDA quickly appealed this decision and the legal struggle dragged on into the following year. In the end, the US Appeals Court ruled that this product should be regarded as a tobacco product by the FDA and regulated in the same way. This allows makers of the electronic cigarette to operate under much laxer rules than they would if it had been classified as a medical product.
Legal Status of the Electronic Cigarette
Due to the lack of central control exerted over the electronic cigarette in various areas, this product exists under varying legal and economic burdens in various countries. In many areas of both the European Union and the United States, there are no restrictions whatsoever against this device. A handful of small countries and states have managed, however, to pass legislation which puts certain limits on the usage and/or marketing of the electronic cigarette.
The electronic cigarette has experienced legal battles within five different countries in the EU. Denmark presently classifies this device as a medical product. This has essentially prohibited the sale of the electronic cigarette because government authorization is required in order to market a medical product and the government has not granted authorization.
Finland only permits the sale of the electronic cigarette with no nicotine in the cartridge. This has limited the device’s use as a smoking cessation strategy. However, it is possible to bring in nicotine for the electronic cigarette from outside the country.
The electronic cigarette has been subjected to limitation of sales or marketing in Latvia, the Netherlands and Norway. They remain legal in all three countries. The Netherlands is presently waiting on an EU decision regarding advertisement of the electronic cigarette.
The United States has treated the electronic cigarette with a wide variety of regulations. In New Hampshire it was originally legal to sell the product to minors. In 2010, state law prohibited the sale of this device to minors. Attempts have been made in California to completely ban the sale of this product in the state but a veto defeated the bill. New Jersey treats the device as a tobacco product and subjects it to the same restrictions within state boundaries. Washington has banned the use electronic cigarette products in public places and Arizona is planning to ban the sale of this product to minors.
About The Electronic Cigarette
The electronic cigarette was invented in order to allow people to simulate the act of smoking to such an extent that it actually delivers nicotine in the mist inhaled by the user. This device was allegedly invented to omit the odor and other unpleasant features of tobacco smoke, including the health risk to those around the smoker. An electronic cigarette appears to be either a pen or a plastic device and, in many ways, mimics a real smoking product.
History of the electronic cigarette
The electronic cigarette was first described in 1963 by Herbert Gilbert as a smokeless cigarette which did not use tobacco but rather moist, heated air to deliver the flavor of a real cigarette. A few things limited the possibility of manufacturing such a device at the time. The technological know how did not really exist so it was impossible to make at the time. There was little impetus to spend the money necessary to research such technology because tobacco was not positively identified as harmful. Though the electronic cigarette was envisioned, there was no drive to create one.
It was a Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik, who developed the first working electronic cigarette in 2003. He successfully marketed the product a year later and began exporting in 2005. In 2007, he was given an international patent for the electronic cigarette.
Components of the electronic cigarette.
All makes of the electronic cigarette have the same three core components. These are the cartridge, the atomizer and the power unit. There are other essential components but all are contained inside one of these three structural components of the electronic cigarette.
Cartridge –The cartridge of an electronic cigarette is small and made from plastic. It is a disposable component that has openings on each end. One end is inserted in the smoker’s mouth while the other attaches to the atomizer. The entire thing is actually made in complex fashion which allows the passage of liquid and vapor back and forth between the mouth of the smoker and the atomizer. The liquid supply is maintained here in a special chamber inside the cartridge. When the liquid dries up completely, the smoker can either choose to refill it or replace it. There are versions which do not contain any liquid in the cartridge but rather drip the flavored liquids onto the atomizer directly. Manufacturers have begun to make cartridges that are intended for use with an electronic cigarette that uses the drip method.
Atomizer – Within the electronic cigarette , this is the critical heating element. Through one method or another it vaporizes the flavored liquid inside the device in order to make the mist which simulates tobacco smoke for the user. It is composed of a metal mesh and a filament. The former draws in the liquid. The atomizer itself sits in the very center of the entire device, with the cartridge attached at one end and the power unit attached at the other. As with the cartridge, this is another element of the electronic cigarette which must be periodically replaced when the filament burns out or loses a significant portion of its efficiency.
Power Unit – The nature of the power supply of the electronic cigarette depends on how the device receives electricity. Wireless devices use rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries. There also exist wired units which receive electricity through USB connections. Whichever power source is used, it is usually the biggest piece of the entire electronic cigarette.
Health Concerns Regarding the electronic cigarette
The makers of the electronic cigarette intended the device to minimize the problems that public sentiment has toward secondhand cigarette smoke, which is the primary cause for so many anti-smoking laws. While concerns about the health of smokers have been public for many years now, it is only in the last couple decades that some researchers have suggested connections between secondhand smoke and serious illnesses. The electronic cigarette aims to make nicotine purely an issue for the smoker to consider without possibly affecting anyone else.
However, critics of the electronic cigarette have spoken out from various corners of the professional world. These critics mostly belong to health care organizations and associations of medical professionals. Their concerns about the electronic cigarette are varied.
The United States Food and Drug Administration tested multiple versions of the electronic cigarette distributed by two different vendors of this device. One cartridge was found to contain diethylene glycol, an odorless but poisonous liquid. Various cartridges from both vendors were found to contain cancer-causing agents. The makers of these devices never claimed to eliminate dangers for the actual smoker, but studies showed that the nicotine levels in an e cig were not even consistent.
The electronic cigarette has received vocal support, on the other hand, from the American Association of Public Health Physicians. They claim that smokers can reduce their risk of tobacco-related death significantly by switching to smokeless devices. In fact, they claim that the electronic cigarette provides almost all the health benefits of actually quitting a smoking habit.
The electronic cigarette has received uneven support from many other agencies, both local and global. In the United States, for example, many places permit the sale of these devices to minors, since they are not cigarettes. Certain states have attempted to pass bans on selling an electronic cigarette to people under the age of 18.
Electronic Cigarette
