subject: What is an Electric Cigarette? [print this page] What is an Electric Cigarette? What is an Electric Cigarette?
You can find electric cigarettes online, in shopping malls and may see some people using them in no smoking areas. The electric cigarette market is growing and getting popular at a rapid pace with millions of searches throughout the web, but the question that often comes to mind is "Are they Safe?"
I was unaware of electronic cigarettes (click here for more information) until recently. Generally, the idea is that it looks like a cigarette, delivers the nicotine fix that cigarettes do, and cost you less money in the long run. The way it works is the electric cigarette vaporizes a liquid into what looks like smoke. Some may say this is a healthier alternative to smoking since it does not actually contain tobacco.
According to FDA spokeswoman Rita Chappelle, "We're concerned about the potential for addiction and abuse of these products." Tobacco cigarettes have the same characteristics, but are more harmful. So if a smoker can get his/her nicotine fix in a way that's similar to smoking but less harmful, isn't that a good thing?
After attempts to shut down the distribution and shipments of Electronic Cigarettes the FDA failed on January 15, 2010 when a Federal Judge ruled that the Food and Drug Administration may not block the importation of electronic cigarettes. The judged determined that they are tobacco products and are not subject to restrictions.
There are studies on the potential harms coming from using electronic cigarettes. However, to date, there is no indication of anything significant. All we can say at this point is that they could be as safe, or safer, than using tobacco cigarettes, and this can be an understatement.
About electronic cigarettes: Electronic cigarettes have also been called electric cigarettes, e-cigs, e-cigarettes and vapor cigarettes. The electronic cigarette is a small hand held device that looks like and performs in the same ways a tobacco cigarette does. Its primary function is to deliver nicotine while also producing a smoke-like vapor. Where the similarity with a cigarette ends, however, is that there is combustion involved in the process and an ecig does not contain tobacco. Instead it is powered by battery and has a cartridge that contains a liquid solution that is inhaled. This means that smokers can use the device over and over again instead of needing to purchase cartons or packs of cigarettes frequently. There are many brands and different liquid flavors available. To find out more information on an electric cigarette visit www.theqreview.com.
