Effectiveness of E-cigarettes as an alternative to cigarettes is questionable as there is very little research done to study health risks or benefits of E-cigarettes.
Highlights
- The first electronic cigarettes came out commercially in 2003, and were devised by Hon Lik, a pharmacist and smoker from China.
- E- cigarettes or electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices fashioned to deliver nicotine with flavorings and chemicals in vapor form rather than the traditional smoke form.
- E-cigarettes use as a quitting aid for smoking is still unclear.
Cigarette Smoking A Silent Killer
Smoking kills the smoker silently, pushing him towards serious illnesses, which slowly lead to death.
Smoking kills the smoker silently, pushing him towards serious illnesses, which slowly lead to death.
‘E-cigarettes also known as electronic cigarettes or vapor cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative and aid in the cessation of traditional cigarette smoking.’
Since the introduction of commercially
available cigarettes in the 1800s, the cigarette has undergone a sea of change
and various studies have been done regarding its harmful effects. Governments
the world over have been trying to curb cigarette
smoking by various campaigns and laws and regulations. However, due
to the addictive property of nicotine, some people find it very difficult to
quit its usage. The newest generation of cigarettes, the e- cigarettes or electronic cigarettes have been growing in popularity since they are convenient to use, cheaper, and offer the same pleasurable sensation felt when smoking a traditional cigarette. The e-cigarette also claims to be safer than the traditional cigarette and helps habitual smokers quit the habit. This claim has brought about the widespread use of the e-cigarettes in both adults and teenagers and is a growing concern as there are very few studies done on the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.
Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices, which resemble a regular cigarette. They consist of three parts, a mouthpiece or cartridge, which contains the liquid (nicotine, flavoring and chemicals), an atomizer or vaporizer – the heating device which causes the production of the vapor, and the battery or power source – which powers the heating element. Electronic cigarettes come in a variety of flavors such as fruit, menthol, tobacco and dessert flavors.
E-Cigarette Nicotine Labels not always accurate, Containers Aren't Child Resistant
51% of labels on e-cigarette liquid nicotine containers from 16 North Dakota stores don't accurately reflect the levels of nicotine found in the products.
51% of labels on e-cigarette liquid nicotine containers from 16 North Dakota stores don't accurately reflect the levels of nicotine found in the products.
Some of the known side effects of e-cigarettes include:
- They can blow up – as a result of the batteries getting overheated.
- They can cause poisoning – especially when used by young kids.
- They contain nicotine which is addictive. If stopped suddenly, the individual can face withdrawal symptoms.
- They can cause damage to unborn babies if used by pregnant women.
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E-Cigarettes To Smoke or Not To Smoke
The e-cigarette company in India, STEAMZ gives reasons for promoting e-cigarettes as opposed to conventional cigarettes with tobacco.
The e-cigarette company in India, STEAMZ gives reasons for promoting e-cigarettes as opposed to conventional cigarettes with tobacco.
- Most of the questions by patients were based on the safety and side effects of e-cigarettes. About 34 percent of the questions pertained to the specific side effects and harms of e-cigarettes, 27 percent were related to general safety and 19 percent to use of e-cigarettes as aids to quit smoking. Other questions included the comparison of harmful effects of e-cigarettes to those of normal cigarettes, use of the cigarettes in the presence of pre-existing medical conditions, and about nicotine-free e-cigarettes.
- With respect to the answers given by the physicians, 47 percent of answers focused on the negative aspects of e-cigarettes like risks of the e-cigarettes and discouraging patients from using them. Around 20 percent of the answers were positive, for example, encouraged the use of e-cigarettes for quitting conventional cigarettes. “The existing research, however, does not indicate that e-cigarettes help people quit combustible cigarettes,” Prochaska said. “This is an area in need of greater study.” Other opinions were either neutral or contradictory.
- The satisfaction of the patient with the answer was gauged depending on which the patient pressed the thanks button. A positive response from the physician received a thanks more often.
References:
- Brown-Johnson CG et al. Online Patient–Provider E-cigarette Consultations: Perceptions of Safety and Harm. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.06.018
- History of Tobacco - (http://healthliteracy.worlded.org/docs/tobacco/Unit1/2history_of.html)
- Electronic Cigarettes Drug Facts - (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes)
How to Quit Smoking
Tired of people asking you to stop smoking around them? Don't want to be ordered around by public smoking bans? Simple steps that help you to quit smoking.
Tired of people asking you to stop smoking around them? Don't want to be ordered around by public smoking bans? Simple steps that help you to quit smoking.
