| In light of the health hazards of smoking and the | | | | The obvious main benefit of the electronic cigarette |
| growing number of public places where smoking is | | | | is being able to drastically reduce health risks because |
| banned, people are turning to the electronic cigarette | | | | no tar or carcinogens are inhaled into the lungs. Nor is |
| to satisfy the habitual act of smoking without | | | | there any second hand smoke which is equally |
| polluting the air or their lungs with thousands of | | | | harmful to people who inhale it. No fire is needed to |
| known carcinogens. | | | | "smoke" the ecig, so there is no need to carry |
| | | | matches or a lighter, thereby reducing fire risk as |
| What is an e-cigarette? | | | | well. |
| An e-cigarette is a battery operated device that | | | | While batteries are needed for the electric cigarette |
| looks like a cigarette and is smoked like a cigarette. | | | | and there is a small investment in the kit, the cost is |
| However, there is no smoke to deal nor tobacco, tar | | | | negligible given that one cartridge can last as long as |
| and other cancer causing agents. For those who feel | | | | it would take to smoke two packs of real cigarettes. |
| like persecuted smokers who cannot smoke in public | | | | You can even buy e-juice to save money over |
| and for those who want to quit and need some help, | | | | cartridges. |
| the e-cig can be lifesaver --- quite literally! | | | | There is no cigarette smoke to permeate the air, |
| How the Electric Cigarette Works | | | | skin, clothing and hair, basically keeping things smelling |
| The electronic cigarette is shaped like the real thing, | | | | a lot fresher. While the e-cig produces a vapour to |
| an elongated tube that some people also describe as | | | | simulate an actual lit cigarette, this vapour is not |
| similar to a pen. There are four basic parts: | | | | offensive-smelling and it is quite safe. For this reason, |
| -LED cover which simulates the glow of a cigarette | | | | people can "light" up just about anywhere that bans |
| -Battery compartment which also houses the circuitry | | | | tobacco smoke such as pubs, airports, clubs, |
| for the e-cig | | | | restaurants and even the office. It is quite legal to |
| -Heating element called an atomizer | | | | puff away on the electronic cigarette. |
| -Mouthpiece which houses a cartridge that is filled | | | | For people trying to quit smoking, the hardest part is |
| with a liquid nicotine solution. | | | | the habits that accompany the smoking ritual. With |
| Air flows through the tube-like device which triggers | | | | the ecig, hands are still busy holding it and the act of |
| the release of nicotine droplets. The atomizer heats | | | | inhaling and exhaling is still there so this can help. |
| up the liquid nicotine which turns it into a vapour mist | | | | Are e-cigs safe? |
| that the electronic cigarette user then inhales. The led | | | | While there is nicotine present, it is not in a harmful, |
| end lights up resembling the end of a real lit cigarette. | | | | carcinogenic form. Therefore, the e-cigarette is |
| Propylene glycol is added to the liquid nicotine to | | | | increasingly popular as a choice for smoking cessation |
| produce a smoke-like effect. | | | | efforts. The bonus for switching to this healthier |
| Many e-cigs come in a kit which may include extra | | | | alternative is no stained teeth and fingers. |
| batteries and liquid nicotine refills. This liquid nicotine | | | | If going cold turkey on nicotine is not possible quite |
| even comes in different flavours for an interesting | | | | yet, consider the healthier alternative to smoking |
| smoking experience and taste. | | | | tobacco. The electronic cigarette is ultimately cleaner |
| Benefits of the E-Cigarette | | | | and cheaper than the real thing. |