subject: Are Electric Cigarettes a Safe Alternative to Smoking? [print this page] Are Electric Cigarettes a Safe Alternative to Smoking?
Everyone knows that smoking is a dangerous habit. But what about electric cigarettes? Many people have started using these electronic devices to replace real (or 'analog') cigarettes as an alternative to smoking. But, do the advantages really outweigh the risks?
An electric cigarette is a device that consists of a battery, an atomizer and a cartridge filled with liquid (commonly called "smoke juice"). The battery powers the atomizer that vaporizes the liquid which is then inhaled by the user. The juice is most commonly made up of propylene glycol, water, flavoring and nicotine, though non-nicotine varieties are also available. The attraction to electric cigarettes is they allow a smoker to engage in the act of smoking and receive nicotine, without inhaling the many harmful chemicals associated with tobacco cigarettes.
The most common argument against these devices is that electric cigarettes still contain nicotine, a chemical linked to serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and recently, to breast cancer. While it can be argued that most smoking-cessation aids, such as nicotine gum and patches, also contain nicotine, many researchers are concerned that electric cigarettes, or more specifically, the smoke juice used in them, are unregulated by the FDA and can contain varying amounts of nicotine. In other words, although a merchant may claim a smoke juice contains 14mg of nicotine, there is no verifiable way of knowing how accurate the dosage actually is, because there is no regulation in place.
Another concern is the liquid used in electric cigarettes uses food-grade propylene glycol, or PG, as a base, and many skeptics question the health risks involved with inhaling this substance over long periods of time. But, as proponents of electric cigarettes will point out, PG is a substance that is found in many food items and hundreds of personal care products, and has been labeled (by the FDA) as safe for human consumption. Although there are no known health risks associated with PG, some people are allergic or sensitive to the substance. As an alternative, many companies now offer vegetable glycerin (or VG) based smoke juices that contain little or no PG.
The final argument against electric cigarettes is that they do not encourage a user to actually stop smoking, but rather offer a replacement for it. So, while a smoker may have stopped smoking tobacco, they are continuing to use nicotine on an ongoing basis. Many assert that electric cigarettes are just as addicting as traditional tobacco cigarettes. Just as with nicotine gum and patches, however, there are varying doses of nicotine cartridges and smoke juices available to choose from, but it is up to the user to begin tapering themselves off of nicotine. While it can be argued that a person may never choose to wean themselves off of nicotine, the same can be argued against patches or gum. It should also be noted that non-nicotine smoke juices and cartridges are available, which allow continued use of the electric cigarette, without inhaling any nicotine at all.
While it is apparent the use of electric cigarettes does involves some health risks, it is important to look at how they stack up against tobacco cigarettes in order to determine whether the benefits really outweigh the risks. A tobacco cigarette contains over 400 chemical compounds, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia, and at least 43 of those chemicals are known carcinogens (cancer causing). This is in addition to the already discussed heath risks associated with nicotine use. Compared to the relatively low risks of using an electric cigarette (especially with low-dose or non-nicotine cartridges/smoke juice), it seems electric cigarettes would be the safer option by a long-shot.
It should be noted, however, that because there are risks associated with electric cigarettes, non-smokers should not use this as an opportunity to pick up a nicotine habit. Obviously, using nothing at all is the safest and healthiest way to go. But, if you're already a smoker and looking for a way to quit, electric cigarettes might be an option worth checking into.
