Electronic Cigarettes – Dangers, Health Risks, Side Effects, Benefits, Components

What are Electronic Cigarettes?

Lung cancer is among the leading type of cancer nowadays. The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes. With this problem, emerged the electronic cigarette invention.

An electronic cigarette is the alternative and healthy way to smoke cigarettes. It is the newest product that looks like a real cigarette but it is really a vaporizer that is operated through the use of batteries. It is somewhat like an inhaler type of instrument. This is a type of cigarette that is non- flammable product which uses a micro-electronic technology that provides the one using it, a feeling of smoking a real cigarette. It still has nicotine component that still looks, feels and taste like the ones in cigarettes. However, the nicotine vapor is much similar to an inhaled steam in the shower.

History

The largest tobacco smokers belonged to China. It has 350 million smokers and one million tobacco-related death tolls, according to statistical studies. Here is where the electronic cigarettes started. The first ever electronic cigarette was developed in Beijing, China by the inventor named Hon Lik. Hon Lik was a 52 year old pharmacist as well as smoker. He is also an inventor. The idea of electronic cigarette was inspired by his father who was a heavy smoker and who died of lung cancer. Golden Dragon Holdings, where Hon Lik worked, developed the device that he made and change its name to Ruyan, a Chinese word meaning “resembles like smoke”.

Actually, a patent acquired by Herbert A. Gilbert during 1963 was the first documentation where the concept of electronic device was outlined. However, the proposed idea was declined and didn’t materialized since there were limited technology back then and tobacco was, before, not considered as something harmful.

It was on 2005, that the electronic cigarette started to be exported. And by 2007, it first receives its international patent. In April of 2006 the device was introduced in Europe and in 2006 to 2007, it was introduced to the United States. And the rest as they say is history.

Benefits

One of the many reasons that the Electronic cigarette is in appealing to smokers is that they want to still experience smoking a cigarette minus the flames, tobacco, tar, ash, carbon monoxide, stub or smell that are found when one uses a real cigarette. Aside from the ones that are mentioned, other benefits include:

• doesn’t create a first or second hand smoke
• odor free
• convenient
• cheaper
• no smoker’s breath
• no smoke
• control your nicotine level
• no cigar smell clothes
• better health
• smoke wherever or whenever you want

With the benefits mentioned, smokers want to opt for electronic cigarettes than traditional real cigarettes. It is known as the best alternative to tobacco as of today.

Components

The electronic cigarette is mainly composed of a battery, an “e liquid” cartridge, and an atomizer. Each will be discussed as we go along.

Electronic Cigarette Parts

Electronic Cigarette Batteries

This kind of lithium-ion battery is rechargeable. It was invented to make it look like a real cigarette than burns when one puffs on it. There is a LED indicator light found in the end of the battery. It lights up when you puff. It stops working or blinks when it needs to be charged.

Electronic Cigarette Atomizer

The atomizer works as a heater to the electronic liquid. It heats it until it evaporates. It is a metal coil that is small. It really doesn’t burn the electronic liquid, instead, it makes an inhale vapor which mimics smoke. There are two piece design and three piece design to choose from. Take note that atomizers do wear out. Only the two piece atomizer is gaining more popularity since you can refill the atomizers and can be used again and again until it totally wears out.

Electronic Cigarette liquids, Cartridges and Cartomizers

E cigarette cartridges or Cartomizers is where you can find the electronic liquid. Different nicotine levels are made available for electronic liquids. Aside from that the electronic liquid is available in different flavors to choose from, such as tobacco or menthol.

Dangers

Despite the benefits that this device offers, it also offers potential dangers such as:

Toxic Chemicals

The FDA has not approved electronic cigarettes due to the fact that the cigarettes, upon testing, revealed that it has trace amounts of substances and carcinogens which are harmful to humans.

Long Term Health Risk

There is long term health risk with this product/ device since it contains nicotine. Nicotine is not totally safe and it is a powerful drug.

Promotes more Smoking

The device itself, with the appealing benefits to smokers, promotes more smoking. Even if it is touted as a cessation aid for smokers, it actually does the opposite thing. It ushered a new way for smokers to satisfy their urge to smoke.

Creates New Smokers

The benefits are appealing not only to smokers themselves but also to non-smokers. The young people are at risk. Since younger generations these days are known to be lovers of electronic device. Needless to say, with their curiosity and with a higher edge of technology, wherein you can avail such product through just a click of a button over the internet, it has opened up to a whole generation of young people. It also opened up to a nicotine addiction.

Side Effects

Actually, there are no known side effects that are associated when one uses electronic cigarettes. Any cigarette side effect that one might experience when you are smoking an electronic cigarette is a result of the nicotine that it contains. Nicotine is known to produce unwanted side effects when taken in larger amount or in large doses.

Nicotine, as mentioned above, is found in the electronic liquid that is one of the compositions of electronic cigarette. Aside from the possible side effects of nicotine poisoning, the product or device can also make you addicted.