Reprinted from my Scranton Technology feature.
For the millions of smokers world wide who have been struggling to find a new way to get their nicotine fix, there may be hope. A device called an e-cigarette has been steadily gaining in popularity.
What is it?
The gadget consists of a rechargeable lithium battery, a heating element called an “atomizer” and a cartridge that holds a liquid that consists of flavoring, nicotine, and a vehicle to carry it that heats into a smoke-like vapor that can be inhaled.
At first glance the device looks a lot like a traditional cigarette. It has a mouthpiece that resembles a filter, and a battery with a glowing LED to simulate the smoldering tobacco.
What are the health effects?
Many users of the e-cigarette, myself included, claim to feel improved breathing, less wheezing and coughing, and complete cession of traditional tobacco cigarettes. Manufacturer's are quick in rebuking any official claims of health benefits, or smoking cession due to the lack of testing on the long-term effects of the devices.
According to the American Cancer Society "Many people mistakenly think that nicotine is the substance in tobacco that causes cancer. This belief may cause some people to avoid using nicotine replacement therapy when trying to quit. Nicotine is what gets (and keeps) people addicted to tobacco, but other substances in tobacco cause cancer. Some animal studies have shown that nicotine may help existing tumors grow and spread, but whether this happens in people is not yet known and more research is needed."
The major components of E-Juice (the liquid that is vaporized) are flavorings, Propylene Glycol (a common additive in foods and beauty products) and pure nicotine are all considered GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA, incredibly strangely the FDA considers the e-cigarette an “unapproved drug delivery device” however.
Why is there concern from the FDA from a device that uses ingredients it has already approved?
That question has been raised a lot recently. Many folks believe that the reason behind it is simply lack of knowledge of long term side-effects. Many others believe they may have other interests in mind.
Some attribute the FDA's negative stance on the devices as propaganda brought on by the Big Tobacco companies, Big Pharmaceutical companies (many produce smoking cessation therapies) or the US government themselves, which collect a hefty amount in taxes on cigarettes.
Where can I find more information on the E-cigarette?
There are many resources on the Internet to get more information on the devices and the communities that have sprung up around them. The E-Cigarette forum is a great place to start if you want to know more. They have nearly 40,000 members and counting.
Where can I get one?
There are many different places to get them on-line, and some cities even have stand alone shops or mall kiosks but buyers must be cautious. There are many companies out there charging exorbitant amounts of money for products that can be bought much cheaper else ware. I recommend http://cignot.com for decent priced equipment.
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