E-cigarettes are electronic devices that produces flavored vapor, and possibly nicotine, for inhalation. I’m guessing they are primarily used as a means to quit smoking real cigarettes. The vapor is produced from a fluid (called E-liquid) based on either Propylene Glycol or Glycerine.
Being a long time smoker (and hopeless nicotine addict) i’m considering these as an aid to quit, but i’m a bit concerned about possible health issues. I’ve been googling around and have found a number of articles both pro and con E-cigs. Some say it’s 99% healthier than actual cigarettes while others (the FDA among them) warn againt their use.
So is inhaling a vapor produced from heating a mixture of Propylene Glycol, food flavorings and nicotine, better for me than the many chemicals found in ordinary cigarettes?
Well, there is a lack of hard longterm data, but in terms of carcinogenic compounds, the E-Cigs are far safer than real burning tobacco - no question. All those nasty tars, combustion products and dioxins are no longer present. And the Propylene Glycol in the E-Cig fluid is only to produce smoke to make smokers feel like they are actually smoking - it could be left out. E-sigs could also be set up to only deliver on the draw, preventing any risk of second-hand nicotine delivery. I think they currently smoke a bit when not on the draw to make the smoking experience more realistic.
So the E-Cig is a nicotine delivery system - not great (nicotine is a nasty addictive substance and is toxic in it’s own right), but better than a real cigarette. But unlike patches whose main use is to support nicotine withdrawal, e-cigs are intended as a permanent replacement for smoking, for longterm use. It is a drug delivery system, safer than the alternative but still delivering an addictive substance for recreational use. The main issue for policy bodies is whether e-cigarettes count as smoking for the purposes of public health - i.e. in a smoke-free environment, does using an e-cig get you fined.
I (personally) dislike smoking in all it’s forms, but I reluctantly approve of e-cigs, if it helps reduce the health costs of smoking.
I always see these lists of the ingredients of regular cigarettes on the internet, and they usually list propylene glycol as an ingredient. I don’t know how accurate the lists are, but if that’s true, then you’re getting propylene glycol either way.
Propylene glycol is approved by the FDA as a food additive; it’s in lots of things … it’s in your soda, beer, shampoo, salad dressing, lipstick, room deodorizer, on and on …
I suspect the real reason Customs is seizing some shipments of ecigs is that the manufacturers of nicotine gum and patches don’t want the competition.
I’ve been using them for a couple of years when I’m in places I can’t smoke.
I’ve used the things while trying to quit smoking (girlfriend pressure). The smoke isn’t nearly as rewarding. In terms of health benefits, I believe the jury is still out. The main issue I took with e-cigs was that I didn’t feel like I was “accomplishing” anything - like eating a full plate of dinner or being able to say “that ciggy is done, snuff it out.”
