Answering 4 Common Questions About E-Cigarettes
E-cigarette smoking, colloquially known as vaping, is quickly becoming the most common form of alternative smoking on the market today. As is true of any new product, the facts behind e-cigarettes have not yet become common knowledge, and there are several misconceptions among the general public about the safety, ingredients, and addictiveness of e-cigarettes. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about e-cigarettes.
How do E-Cigarettes Work?
Because e-cigarettes are constructed so differently from normal cigarettes, it is not immediately clear how they function. E-cigarettes do not rely on burning tobacco, and do not actually create smoke. The "smoke" that is created by e-cigarettes is actually a vapor that is created as the e-cig juice evaporates. Because of this, some no smoking locations are more tolerant to e-cig smoking.
Inside of the e-cigarette there is a vaporizer that is powered by a small lithium battery. The vaporizer is a chamber with a heating coil that evaporates the liquid as it is breathed in through the mouthpiece. In some models, the vapor will pass through a nicotine container that is located just inside the mouthpiece before it is inhaled.
Are E-Cigarettes Addictive?
The short answer to this question is that it depends on the type of e-cig that you are smoking. While virtually all cigarettes have a similar amount of nicotine, e-cigs can have no nicotine, a very small amount, or even more than a normal cigarette. The best way to avoid getting addicted to e-cigs is to examine their packaging to find information about their nicotine content.
Are E-Cigarettes Safer Than Normal Cigarettes?
Smokers and non-smokers alike have been made aware of the significant health risks that are associated with smoking cigarettes. There are over 4,000 dangerous chemicals in cigarettes and at least 43 known carcinogens. It would be logical to assume that e-cigs are safer because they do not contain formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, hydrogen cyanide, or DDT. While there is no question that e-cigs are less toxic than normal cigarettes, they are not as risk-free as e-cig manufacturers would like consumers to believe.
The primary ingredients of e-cig juice are propylene glycol, glycerin, orpolyethylene glycol, alcohol, flavoring, and occasionally nicotine. Some studies have shown that in addition to these ingredients, smoking e-cigs can transfer nanoparticles to the lungs that increase the smoker's risk of asthma, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. These nanoparticles may combine to form small concentrations of some of the dangerous carbonyls that are found in normal cigarettes, such as formaldehyde.
Can E-Cigarettes Help You Stop Smoking?
The answer to this question is controversial. Organizations such as the American Lung Association that have taken a stance on smoking cessation do not promote e-cigs as a method to stop smoking. The bottom line, however, is that the right technique to kick the smoking habit will be different for everyone based on their smoking habits, personality, and personal beliefs. With alternative methods like hypnosis and acupuncture showing results for people that believe in them, it isn't hard to imagine that substituting your smokes with a nicotine-free e-cig can provide results.
The most common way that e-cigs are used to aid smoking cessation is to gradually wean the smoker off of nicotine. When you first make the switch to e-cigs, you can choose a configuration with slightly less nicotine than normal cigarettes. Gradually lowing your nicotine dose can make it much easier to take the plunge when you are ready to quit altogether.
Hopefully this information has given you a better understanding of the ins and outs of e-cigarettes so that you can make an informed decision about what is right for you. Remember that no form of smoking is completely safe, but you will be doing your health a favor by choosing e-cigs over normal cigarettes. Find out more here.