What are Electronic Cigarettes?
First introduced in China, E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, are devices that make nicotine vapors for inhaling. It is battery powered, and is a popular choice for people who do not want to inhale smoke that is in normal cigarettes. It is considered as an alternative for tobacco lovers as the harmful smoke from tobacco contains several dangerous chemicals. Although no smoke is produced from this e-cigarette, it does produce the sensation of smoking. Thus, these cigarettes can help reduce the cravings for nicotine. Most of e-cigarettes on the market look like a normal cigarette, a cigar, or a pipe. They also come in two forms – disposable and reusable varieties.
E-cigarettes have three main parts: a mouthpiece, a heating element, and a battery. Nicotine solution is placed in a cartridge in the mouthpiece. It is vaporized using the heating element, or the atomizer, powered by a battery. Nicotine in e-cigarettes can be regular or flavored. To make the vapor look like smoke, chemicals are added and this gives the sensation of smoking. The largest part of the cigarette is the battery. The life of the battery may depend on its size and how often it is used.
There are a few models that have a sensor to activate the heating element when someone starts to take a puff of the cigarette. This may also activate an LED to indicate that the device is on. There are a few others in which a button has to be pressed to activate the device.
Since cigarettes do not contain most of the other components of tobacco that cause health issues, e-cigarettes are considered to be safer, when compared to normal cigarettes. But more studies are needed to prove this beyond doubt. E-cigarettes are promoted as an ideal choice for people who are trying to quit smoking. The levels of nicotine in the cartridge can be altered. Thus, the level of nicotine can be lowered until the craving for nicotine is stopped. But it would be better to discuss with your doctor before choosing this as an option to quit smoking. E-cigarettes are also promoted as a safer alternative for those who do not want to quit nicotine but want to enjoy it without many of the bad effects.
It is still not clear whether nicotine inhalation has any long-term effects. Different products are now under review from the FDA. One of the major concerns for experts is that these e-cigarettes may make children addicted to nicotine, once kids get their hands on it.
