Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes as they are commonly known, were introduced as a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes and also as a device to aid smoking cessation. Reports indicate that e-cigarettes have become very popular and have indeed helped a large number of people quit smoking.
What is an E-cigarette?
Introduced in 2003, e-cigarettes have evolved rather quickly and are already into their fourth generation. The first-generation e-cigarettes looked like traditional cigarettes and were usually disposable. The second generation consisted of two parts – separate battery and tank – and were rechargeable. They also contained a clearomizer, something not available in the first-generation e-cigarettes. As per experts at TheFirefly.com, the third generation saw further refining and an increase in the size of the device. These e-cigarettes allowed the user to decide the quantity of e-liquid and the output voltage. The fourth-generation e-cigarettes feature low resistance coils and temperature regulating systems.
E-cigarettes may vary in their design but they all have the same purpose – to deliver nicotine or other substances to the user. The different types of e-cigarettes available vary from disposable to the rechargeable; from pen style to tank style; from e-cigars to e-pipes and e-hookahs. The common components in all these different types are the battery, vaporizing chamber, and the cartridge.
The battery (generally lithium rechargeable) activates the device to charge the vaporizing chamber (also known as the atomizer) within the cartridge. This causes the liquid substance (nicotine/other substances) to vaporize within the chamber. It is this vaporized liquid that is inhaled by the user. The process can be started by pressing an activation button or by simply starting to inhale, depending on the type of e-cigarette. As the user exhales the vaporized liquid, it condenses on coming into contact with air and turns into smoke.
Nicotine cartridges used in e-cigarettes are of two major types. There are cartridges that are pre-filled with e-liquid and are disposable. The other type features a refillable and hence reusable reservoir.
What is E-liquid?
The consumable component of an e-cigarette, e-liquid, consists of four main components:
- Propylene Glycol, a flavor carrier and coloring agent found in many food products and some medicines.
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Flavoring that is used by the food industry.
- Nicotine in various concentrations.
The act of inhaling vapor from an e-cigarette is known as vaping. The major difference between vaping and smoking rests in in the process of converting the solid/liquid material to inhalable gas. While the traditional cigarette uses fire as a catalyst for conversion, e-cigarettes or vaporizers use heat. Vaping is fast becoming a method to help wean the user from smoking traditional cigarettes. Rapid development in vaporizers and e-liquids now allow users to regulate the amount of nicotine that they ingest and try in different flavors. The new high-end devices also allow the user to build their own coils and customize the wicking material.
Smoking vs. Vaping
The inhalation of any kind of smoke is injurious to health. This is specifically true for the smoke emitted by cigarettes that comprises of more than 7000 chemicals. Over 100 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer or are cancerogenic in nature. On the other hand, the smoke emitted by cannabis comprises of lesser levels of chemicals but still contain tar, benzene, carbon monoxide, and significant levels of ammonia – all these elements are carcinogenic or toxic.
As per experts, in comparison to smoking cigarettes or cannabis, vaping is 95% healthier. It does not emit any of the toxins mentioned above. E-cigarettes and vaporizers have gained a lot of popularity in the last decade or so. Vaping good-quality and safe products, with the help of vapers whose heating coils do not degrade easily, is a better way to go to avoid any health issues later on.
Smoking is directly responsible for cancers related to the lungs, mouth, stomach, colon, throat, tongue, larynx, pancreas, liver, blood (leukemia), and so forth. Most carcinogenic elements present in cigarettes is found in its tar. Tar is also responsible for causing lung obstructive diseases of the likes of emphysema and bronchitis. In comparison, the nicotine present in e-cigarettes is devoid of harmful chemicals and is therefore a good means to give up smoking cigarettes.
Vaping: Less Dangerous than Smoking
E-cigarettes heat up nicotine, which is extracted from tobacco, as well as other chemicals and flavorings to give off water vapor that users inhale. Unlike the chemicals contained in traditional cigarettes, which are extremely toxic in nature, e-cigarettes expose users to fewer toxic chemicals. However, as nicotine remains to be the primary agent in e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes; both smoking and vaping can be highly addictive. Even vaping causing users to crave for a round and they go through major withdrawal symptoms in case the craving is ignored. Remember, nicotine also contains a certain amount of toxicity. It is capable of raising human blood pressure and leads to the spiking of adrenaline. This in turn increases the heart rate of users and also escalates the dangers of a heart attack.
Vaping: Is it Good or Bad for You?
Even though the concept of vaping has been around for quite some time, there are little known facts about its good, bad, and grey areas. For instance, very little is known about the exact nature of the gases and vapors that’s emitted by e-cigarettes. Obviously, there are chemicals that are present in the vapor emitted by these devices. The impact of these chemicals on the overall physical health of users, especially in the long term, is still unknown. As per experts, it is important to understand that like the smoking of cigarettes, vaping can also cause potential hazards to one’s health. There’s a possibility of exposure to different types of chemicals that’s beyond the comprehension of most people – who fail to understand whether they are inhaling safe products or not.
What’s Present in E-cigarette Aerosol?
The e-cigarette aerosol is capable of containing potentially harmful and some harmful components. These include and are not restricted to:
- Nicotine
- Volatile organic compounds
- Miniscule particles that are capable of reaching the deepest parts of the lung during the process of inhalation
- Flavoring of the likes of diacetyl, which is a chemical related to serious lung diseases
- Some carcinogenic chemicals like nicotine
It’s important to find out the exact composition of the vapor emitted by e-cigarettes before starting on the same. Once you start your research, you’ll come across e-cigarettes marketed as comprising of zero percent nicotine; however, many of these products are found to have nicotine and are addictive in nature.
E-cigarettes – The Bottom Line
So, what can you conclude about vaping? As per experts in vaping, e-cigarettes are potentially beneficial for adult smokers in case they are used as a regular and complete substitute for smoked tobacco products like traditional cigarettes. However, they are not to be used by pregnant women, young adults, youth, or those adults who are not yet addicted to tobacco products. E-cigarettes may benefit some people while harming others. A lot of research is in process and scientists are working round-the-clock to ascertain whether e-cigarettes is beneficial for quitting cigarette smoking or not. The bottom line is that if you’ve never introduced your lungs to cigarettes or other tobacco products, do not start on e-cigarettes. Also, additional research will help you figure out the long-term effects of vaping on your health and that of your loved ones addicted to vaping.