E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that resemble traditional cigarettes. Liquid solutions that come in a variety of flavors and nicotine levels are inserted into the devices. An atomizer, which is a type of heating element, then turns the liquid to vapor that is inhaled by the user. Electronic cigarette enthusiasts prefer this method of getting nicotine over traditional smoking because it eliminates the health risks that accompany tobacco smoke.
What's in the Vapor
If you are considering switching to electronic cigarettes as a smoking alternative, you should know what you'd be breathing into your lungs. The liquid solution that creates the vapor contains nicotine, which is addictive in and of itself. Other chemicals, such as benzene and formaldehyde, have been detected in secondhand vapor. Artificial flavorings such as cherry, mango, and even chocolate are also added to the solutions to create a variety of different "smoking" experiences.
E-cigarettes: A Safe Alternative?
If you smoke traditional cigarettes, you know how difficult it can be to stop. Nicotine is highly addictive and is a hard habit to break. E-cigarette users, however, can choose higher or lower levels of nicotine as desired, suggesting that people those who are trying to wean themselves off smoking may benefit from using the devices. E-cigarettes offer the oral stimulation that comes with smoking, and they are often permitted in places where tobacco use is banned. Because electronic cigarettes can be used repeatedly, it is less expensive to buy cartridges of liquid solution than packs of traditional cigarettes.
Although health experts are still at odds as to whether electronic cigarettes are as safe and effective as manufacturers suggest, it appears the devices are a safer alternative for people who smoke tobacco. The vapor is believed to be much less toxic than smoke, eliminating many risks for the user and others who may be exposed to secondhand smoke. More studies need to be done to research the effects of e-cigarettes and conclusively identify any potential hazards, but the devices are currently the lesser of two evils for people who feel the need for nicotine.
