Electronic cigarettes popularly known as E-cigs or E-cigarettes are essentially used as pseudo tobacco cigarettes. They are intended to replicate the feeling obtained from smoking tobacco. They are considered a healthier alternative to regular cigarettes but are they really healthy? What are the Electronic Cigarette Facts one needs to know?
In 1968, Herbert A. Gilbert patented the first electronic cigarette type. It was designed as a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette which produced flavored steam in lieu of nicotine. This design received little attention from the public at the time as smoking was simply the rave of the moment.
The ‘modern’ e-cigarette is however credited to a Chinese Pharmacist and Inventor, Hon Lik. He worked for Golden Dragon Holdings, a company that dealt with the production of ginseng products. He patented his design in 2003. It was introduced first to the Chinese market in 2004, then Europe and the U.S markets respectively but till date, he has not gotten sufficient credit or financial gain from it.
As more people began to appreciate and use e-cigs, the international tobacco companies grew interested.
USERS
The users of electronic cigarettes are commonly referred to as vapers. They have proved to be really enthusiastic consumers by creating several online forums across social media. A large gathering of enthusiasts also meet regularly in the U.S in a function tagged vape meets. Most of these forums and meetings focus on the accessories, devices and accompanying lifestyle of e-cigs. Interestingly, e-cigs are sold both online and in shops. Some vape shops go an extra mile in having a vape bar, an area partitioned for trying out various e-liquids while socializing.
It was discovered that large amounts of vapor can be produced by using heating coils with very low resistance. This invention offers cloud chasing to its users. This, however, comes with a very dangerous risk of battery failures.
Vape was the 2014 word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.
MODUS OPERANDI
The four main parts of a typical e-cig are:
- A cartridge (reservoir for the e-liquid)
- An atomizer (heating element)
- A rechargeable, lithium-ion battery (powers source)
- A mouthpiece.
When a vaper sucks on the cartridge, a sensor is triggered and the atomizer (heating element) turns the liquid solution into vapor. It is this vapor that the vaper now vapes (how is this for a tongue-twister?)
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The liquid solution is made up of flavorings, some chemicals, and nicotine (occasionally). An assorted range of flavoring is available to choose from including the traditional tobacco and menthol flavor and watermelon flavor.
PROS
With respect to the traditional cigarette smoking, vaping has been attributed a lot of benefits such as:
- It helps to quit smoking.
- Lesser health risks are attached to the practice.
CONS
Irrespective of the benefits that the e-cig promoters claim it has, there are still several worries and concerns about this device. Several studies have been conducted and still being conducted in a bid to ascertain its ultimate safety to the public, users and non-users alike. These much have been identified as the risks associated with this alternate smoking lifestyle:
- It has been found that most contain a quantity of nicotine that is capable of sustaining nicotine-addiction. Nicotine is known to be harmful to the developing brain (<25years) and pregnant women (fetuses) especially.
- Most of the contents of the e-liquid have been classified as either ‘potentially harmful’ or ‘harmful’. Diacetyl, for instance, causes an irreversible and severe lung disease called ‘popcorn lung’
- It discourages people from using the medical route to stop smoking.
- It increases the chance of teens going on to smoke traditional tobacco cigarettes as it can be a pre-introductory material.
- Second-hand smoking is still a threat.
- It is not certified by FDA as safe.
OTHER NICOTINE ALTERNATIVES
- Waterpipes
- Smokeless tobacco.
QUICK ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE FACTS
- E-cigs are portable, hand-held devices that offer vapor in place of smoke.
- Other names of the electronic cigarette are e-cigarettes, e-cigs, personal vaporizer, etc.
- E-cigs can sustain nicotine addiction, lead to it or even lead to a craving/ use for other addictive drugs.
- The chemicals in the e-liquid can cause lung injury and/ or diseases.
- The issue of second-hand smoking remains a very big question with e-cigarettes.
- E-cigs have been banned in some States in the U.S and some are moving for its ban.
- Health authorities are also moving for its regulation.
- Interestingly, in California and Las Vegas respectively, the International Cloud Championships and the World Series of Vape, the two biggest cloud chasing competitions are held.
- It is claimed that e-cigs have helped 6.1 million Europeans to quit smoking.
