The marketing and manufacturing of e-cigarettes as an alternative to tobacco smoking is on the rise. You may have seen pop-up adverts mentioning the many benefits of resorting to the use of e-cigarettes as a mean of quitting smoking. A number of myths and “so-called facts” associated with e cigaret are circulating the internet nowadays. Some of these may seem to be true but a lot of scientific research is still in progress to factually evaluate the nature of e-cigarettes in true means. So far, the only things which are known to use regarding e-cigarettes are:

Electronic cigarettes are battery operated devices which are a variant form of ENDS- Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. These devices come in the form of thin pens, cigarettes or cigars and have a non-smoking method of nicotine delivery in user’s system. Unlike the conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not employ the burning of tobacco for the delivery of nicotine. Alternatively, e-cigarettes are also known as e-cigs, vapes, vape pens, e-hookahs, mods or tanks systems. After their first introduction in the market in 2004 by a Chinese drug company, the manufacturing of e-cigarettes has been accelerated and a total of 460 e-cigarette brands can be seen in today’s market. 

A cartridge or mouthpiece, a heating element, an electronic circuit and a rechargeable battery make up a typical e-cigarette. A cup which is located inside a mouthpiece holds an e-juice soaked material in it. Upon the detection of sucking action by the user, the sensor activates the atomizer or heating element to create nicotine vapors. The vaporized mixture containing nicotine, flavors, and other elements is then inhaled by the user. E-cigarette cartridges can be discarded or replaced once they are emptied. In this way, the user inhales the nicotine vapors into his system without having to burn tobacco. 

Electronic cigarettes are hugely being marketed as a safe alternative to tobacco smoking. The recent researches have validated the following benefits associated with the use of e cigaret:

● People who are trying to quit smoking can resort to the use of e-cigarettes. 

● Since these devices do not burn tobacco smoke, the relative emission of harmful chemicals Is way lesser than conventional cigarettes. 

4. Risks associated with e-cigarettes:

Although e-cigarettes may be a less harmful replacement for conventional cigarettes, it does not mean e-cigarettes are entirely harmless. The limited research which has been conducted on the product so far does not declare it to be entirely safe because:

● E-cigarettes can stir nicotine addiction in users or people who are trying to cut down nicotine intakes. Since nicotine enhances the effects of other drugs, the user is also subject to multiple kinds of drug addiction.

● The ingestion of e-juice is potentially fatal because of the presence of toxic elements such as metals. It can also cause a non-treatable popcorn lung disease. 

● E-cigarettes are not at all suitable for pregnant women and young children.