Should You Switch To Electronic Cigarettes?

The reasons why you should switch to electronic cigarettes could fill a book, but I’ll give you the basic reasons. But, first, when I say “switch” I’m referring to changing from regular tobacco burning cigarettes to an e cig. I’m not in any way suggesting that it is a product anyone should consider if they are presently a nonsmoker or anyone who is not already an avid addict of nicotine. A switch to an e cigarette is:

  1. a means to continue giving yourself a dose of nicotine if you’re already addicted
  2. a means to perhaps gradually reduce your daily nicotine intake if you so desire
  3. a means to protect those you love from the ill effects of secondhand tobacco smoke
  4. a way to get around the smoking prohibitions in most public places
  5. a way to smell better and have fresher breath

Let’s look at the reasons behind these 5 points.

  1. If you are a heavy smoker you may wish to switch to electronic cigarettes even if you have no intention of quitting. It is simply a cleaner and somewhat healthier means to get the nicotine you crave. How so? E cigarettes allow a smoker to inhale a nicotine vapor that from the mist that comes from an atomizer instead of from a burning roll of tobacco. Essentially a heating element, powered by a battery, heats and causes a vapor to emerge when you either inhale or press a button. There are different doses of nicotine and different flavors, there are even fun fruit and chocolate or nut flavors, however, it is meant as an added bonus for a seasoned smoker, and not as a means to lure young people into starting a habit.
  2. If your intention is to quit smoking eventually, electric cigarettes offer a means to reduce the nicotine dosage and even eventually eliminate it totally if that is your resolve. E cigs are not sold as a quit smoking aids, but they can be used as such if someone desires to do so.
  3. If you have no intention of quitting smoking for your own health reasons, but are concerned about the second hand smoke your children or family members must endure, then the electronic cigarette may prove a solution because there is no smoke, just vapor that is nontoxic.
  4. If you’re tired of not being able to light up anywhere in public, then an e cigarette may be the solution to even smoking in your office. There’s no smoke and nothing burns, and there’s no law against having a puff of vapor.
  5. Even avid smokers hate the way tobacco smoke penetrates their clothes and home and makes their breath less than fresh. With e cigarettes there’s no noxious smoke, no nasty smells, no odors, just mist.
Posted in Electronic Cigarettes at March 2nd, 2010. 1 Comment.

An Overview Of The Electronic Cigarette

With more and more consumers becoming health conscious by the day, focus has expanded past worrying about what and where they eat. It is now about what they smoke. Signs of these changes are everywhere ranging from restaurants with heart healthy menus and vegetarian restaurants opening with more frequency to grocery stores focusing on organic products. Even special and healthy types of cigarettes called electronic cigarettes are hitting the stores.

E cigarettes are similar in both look and taste to traditional cigarettes, but the major difference is that they do not have such a negative effect the smoker’s health. Many new laws are being passed that ban smoking from public areas such as bars, restaurants, planes, public transportation and many workplaces. These smoking alternatives are accepted in most of these areas simply because there is a lack of smoke affecting the surroundings and other people. The device begins to work when a smoker inhales the product. At that point, a small sensor activates the heating unit where the nicotine cartridge is kept. This little cartridge contains nicotine, scents, water, propylene glycol, and other flavors that transforms into a vapor which is inhaled instead of typical smoke. There is no worry of second hand smoke because this product does not ignite or smell like normal cigarettes. The propylene glycol is the ingredient found in vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplants. Approved by the FDA, it is normally used in food coloring and prevents dehydration in food, cosmetics and medicine. To simulate the burning effect, a tiny LED light illuminates at the tip of the cigarette.

To buy e cigarettes, affordable starter kits can be found online as well as at many gas stations and mini-markets. Each kit comes with one cigarette, a rechargeable lithium battery, and several nicotine cartridges. Some models also include spare lithium batteries. The nicotine cartridges also come in a variety of flavors such as basic tobacco, menthol as well as fruit, vanilla and chocolate. The nicotine levels are adjustable and range from no nicotine content to high. Normally, a single cartridge is equivalent to one pack of cigarettes.

These electronic cigarettes are becoming popular with the smokers who are trying to quit the habit. To aid in becoming more healthy, former cigarette smokers adjust the nicotine amount at decreasing levels until they successfully quit. Similar to the use of nicotine patches and chewing gum, these products give more satisfaction than the other alternatives.

There are many health benefits of these products, including a lower risk of cancer, respiratory and heart disease. Sleeping patterns, along with breathing levels will also see improvement. Many also state that they have renewed energy for outdoor activities. As far as outer appearances, teeth will not discolor, the foul taste in the mouth will disappear and the walls of the home will be cleaner.

If the smoker does not have plans to quit smoking, this electronic item is a more affordable than purchasing regular cigarettes. If you factor in the cost of $5 per pack over 30 days, it can cost $150 for a one pack per day smoker. The two pack per day rate is $300, while the three pack rate inhales $450. This is before the cost of lighters or matches. Recent reports show that cigarettes are being manufactured with ingredients that make them burn faster if the “puff” rate is over one a minute. Many smokers agree that this additional ingredient also imposes another health risk.

Many traditional cigarettes leave a residual smell, create harmful smoke as well as litter the surroundings. Electronic cigarettes eliminates all of these factors and may even be healthy enough to use around children, babies and even people with allergies. Along with the long list of health benefits, a smoker also lowers the risk of setting fire to themselves as well as their homes if they accidentally fall asleep.

Posted in Electronic Cigarettes at June 24th, 2010. 6 Comments.