Being hailed as the smoker's smart choice, the decision is easy to become an instant modern smoker. Because they are absent thousands of additives and chemicals when compared to tobacco cigarettes, the new wave of e-cigarettes are more cost effective and more convenient than traditional cigarettes. Make the smart choice, without putting yourself or loved ones in the danger zone of tobacco based cigarettes. To find out how much you can save view our Savings Calculator.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Electronic Cigarette
An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette, is an electric device that works by simulating the act of smoking a cigarette, by producing a mist that is inhaled by the smoker. The mist bears the appearance, flavor and physical sensation of nicotine that is the chemical component found in tobacco smoke. The inhaled mist may be very similar to the actual smoke, but it is intended to omit the health risks that come along with smoking tobacco. Depending on the design of the device, heat or ultrasonic mechanism (application of ultrasounds) may be used to vaporize a glycerin-based liquid solution, or in certain cases propylene glycol to create an aerosol mist. The mechanism is much similar to how a humidifier vaporizes solutions for inhalation. With advancement in technology, the size of the electronic cigarette has been reduced to self-container, portable devices the size of ballpoint pens. However, sizes may vary depending on the manufacturer, the design of the electronic cigarette, and the differing battery capacities. Many electronic cigarettes are designed to resemble cigars, pipes and even cigarettes. Most are packaged into sets of a number of cigarettes and a quick glance would mistake them for a pack of cigars. Still, many electronic cigarette brands today are reusable and may also come with replaceable and refillable parts. However, other models are disposable, and their lifespan comes to an end immediately they run out of juice.
Having answered the popular question, what is an electronic cigarette that lingers on the lips of many smokers and non-smokers alike, it is important to know that the primary application of the electronic cigarette is to serve as an alternative to the act of tobacco smoking and it attempts to maintain the sensation experienced when smoking but still greatly reduce or eliminate completely the severe health effects that are associated with the smoking of tobacco. Still, with the many advantages piling with it, skeptics have over the years raised concerns and questions, claiming that the use of the device might in itself come with health risks different to those brought about by tobacco smoking. Similarly, concerns have risen over the fact that the device could appeal to non-smokers and even children based on its flavorings, novelty and uniqueness and the possibly over exaggerated claims of safety on the health life of the user. The possible advantages and disadvantages plus possible health effects of using the electronic cigarette are currently the cause of many debates over the use of the cigarettes among many researchers, health experts and health organizations. Due to their brief existence and the subsequent rapid growth in their popularity, reliable studies are scanty over whether or not the cigarettes are safe for use.
However, a number of supporters have pointed out the many benefits of the electronic cigarettes including the fact that the device is free of toxins, tar and 4000 other harmful chemicals, which are common in tobacco smoke. Users can look forward to better health lives without the use of tar and other toxins from cigarettes. Your body will start realizing the benefits of missing out on these poisons. There is the alluring feeling of wanting to smoke more when using tobacco and this leads to addiction. This is a case absent in the use of electronic cigarettes, where you take a few puffs and you are good to go for a substantial amount of time without a puff. In terms of environmental health and safety, the electronic cigarette comes free of second-hand smoke a situation that is a bother to many non-smokers. According to a number of studies, second-hand is said to be much worse than actual smoke. The vapor released from e-cigarettes is actually harmless water vapor that is free of smoke. Speaking of smoke, the e-cigarette is completely free of smoke: nothing going into the body, nothing coming out, apart from water vapor. It is free of pollutant that may be released into the air from smoke. It is currently considered a ‘green’ solution to the traditional cigarette. No smoke automatically means that you can smoke anywhere and anytime you feel like.
Financially, smokers can look forward to cheaper insurance rates, which many consider as one of the biggest bonus. Once your insurance companies know that you are no longer using tobacco, your monthly insurance costs will drop significantly. Their nature as reusable items allows the user to use a single stick over and over again, which saves money as opposed to buying a pack of cigarettes. Also, refillable cartridges allow the user to save much more per electronic cigarette. It is therefore cheaper to purchase electronic cigarettes as compared to tobacco cigarettes. Refined smokers also experience an improved self esteem. This is considering the absence of the many side effects that are brought about by years of smoking, including blood short palms, bad breath, red eyes and darkened lips and tongue. You will still smoke, but maintain your good looks and improve your self esteem.
As much as there may be some truth in the facts stated above, many organizations and individuals have come out strongly pointing out the possible disadvantages that smokers should know about before they buy electronic cigarettes. E-cigarettes have been found to contain Diethylene Glycol, which is a type of anti-freeze that is said to be toxic to humans especially when inhaled. This is considered as a major e-cigarette side effect. Apart from Diethylene Glycol exposure, e-cigarettes are also said to cancerous compounds including nitrosamines. Such compounds may be harmful to a person if the cigarette breaks accidentally and there is direct exposure to humans. Many critiques have come against what they call bad and poor marketing strategies by e-cigarette manufacturing companies, some of whom are found to produce their products in a variety of flavors including mint, chocolate and orange. This, according to a majority of the opposition can entice non-smokers and even minors into using the products. Some health experts have raised claims that some brands of the e-cigarette come with traces of nicotine, the basic chemical used in tobacco cigarettes. An extended inhale of the cigarette may lead to inhaling some of the liquid nicotine into the mouth of the user, a situation, which many say may be severely dangerous to the health of the smoker. Similarly, there have been claims that the supposed liquid nicotine may be substituted with Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, which is a popular and powerful resin in marijuana. If this is proven to be true, the use of actual drugs in e-cigarettes can be extremely damaging to the health of the user. However, this is still a point that is yet to be clarified and until then, it remains a myth. The fact that they are cost effective is also used to criticize the use of e-cigarettes. Many say that the unusually cheap prices are a way to popularize the product and increase sales. Similarly, others have punctured the fact that subsequent services including refilling of cartridges and replacement of parts are available for much less than the actual price of the cigarette.
There has also been much debate on the topic of cancer in relation to electronic cigarettes. This has been from almost all parties involved. Experts claim that the possible presence of nicotine and other harmful chemicals in flavoring and general composition of the electronic cigarette may have adverse effects on the user. However, the possibility of being cancerous and having other similar health risks is an issue that is yet to be proven through studies. Heart diseases have also been mentioned by many opposing the use of electronic cigarettes. This issue also revolves around the possible presence of nicotine in the cigarettes. In this case, nicotine has been known to bring about multiple various heart-related ailments. However, health experts point out that the use of anti-nicotine cartridges when using the electronic cigarettes is one way to avoid heart diseases and other nicotine-influenced ailments.
It is quite clear that most of the disadvantages are based on the presence of nicotine contents in the e-cigarettes. The most reliable studies point out that traces of this substance are used in many cigarettes, but in varying qualities for user’s preference. “Low” doses of the chemical may be concentrations of between 6 to 8 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid (mg/ml). “Medium” doses may be concentrations of between 10 to 14 mg/ml. “High” doses may be concentrations of between 16 to 18 mg/ml. “Extra-high” doses of the chemical may be concentrations of between 24 to 36 mg/ml. Depending on the manufacturer, doses may be anywhere around the above figures. Actual concentrations of nicotine should be printed on the liquid container or on the packing of the cartridge. Lower concentrations may give the impression of cheap electronic cigarettes, while a higher concentration will most definitely give the impression of the best electronic cigarettes. There are many types of the electronic cigarette that smokers can choose from. Whether or not the electronic cigarette is safe is still under discussion. One thing that is evident though, is the fact that is much safer and convenient than tobacco smoking.