Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic Cigarettes : A Healthier Alternative


By: Philip Nicosia

Smoking is a habit which is undeniably bad for your health. Research in recent years has proven that cigarettes contain dangerous chemicals which put smokers much higher risk of developing heart problems and cancer. Yet despite these facts, a high proportion of the population still continues to indulge in smoking. Often many of the smokers who attempt to give up fail because of the highly addictive chemical nicotine contained within cigarettes. This causes them to experience unpleasant cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which makes any break away from cigarettes difficult or in many cases pushes them back into their smoking habit. This has left many smokers looking for a healthier alternative that still delivers the same level of nicotine, which has prompted some to exchange their ordinary cigarettes for electronic cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes are roughly the same size and shape as a normal cigarette, but instead of tobacco and a filter, the electronic cigarette comprises mainly of a cartridge, atomiser, and a rechargeable battery. The cartridge is a replaceable attachment which contains a liquid solution consisting of propylene glycol and nicotine. When the electronic cigarette is inhaled, a sensor detects a flow of air which prompts a microprocessor to activate the atomiser. The atomiser converts the liquid solution into vapour which can then by inhaled. The nicotine is then delivered in a similar way to that of a regular cigarette to satisfy cravings, whilst the presence of the propylene glycol produces a smoke-like vapour to make the electronic cigarette look fairly realistic. There are also different types of cartridges available with various formulas and strengths available to suit each person's individual tastes.

Electronic cigarettes are reported to be much healthier to use than the original tobacco product, as without the presence of tobacco they do not emit carbon-monoxide or tar, and yet they still provide the user with the necessary amount of nicotine to substitute their original smoking habit. However, although electronic cigarettes are not providing the user with the as many dangerous toxins and carcinogens as a normal cigarette, the user's intake of nicotine is still very harmful. Nicotine is still a highly toxic chemical, in fact one single droplet of the substance would be enough to kill a person. So whilst electronic cigarettes are considered to be less dangerous, they should not be viewed as a harmless, long-term substitute for tobacco.

Swapping regular cigarettes for the electronic version can however be an effective method in many cases to help get people away from smoking altogether. This is perhaps because unlike products like nicotine patches and gums, electronic cigarettes provide the body with a more direct and instant intake of nicotine. Also, because electronic cigarettes have the similar shape and feel to a regular cigarette, they allow the user to replicate the same smoking-like movements, which some smokers need as their hands often suddenly feel quite empty. As electronic cigarettes look convincingly like a traditional cigarette, users will feel more confident using them in public and will perhaps make quitting smoking a less unpleasant experience.

Philip Nicosia discusses many topics on his personal blog including electronic cigarettes.