An Overview Of Electronic Cigarettes

The earliest electronic cigarette can be traced back to Herbert Gilbert in 1963 where he created a device called ‘a smokeless non-tobacco cigarette’. Gilbert’s device worked by heating nicotine solution which led to the production of steam. The device however was never commercialized and disappeared from public record. Fast forward to today, and we have in the market electronic cigarettes, which are a modern improvement of Gilbert’s device.

An electronic cigarette is a battery powered device which simulates the various sensations felt when one is smoking. Electronic cigarettes only contain nicotine and do not have the various harmful toxins that are found in the traditional cigarette. Let us take a brief look at electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarette or e-cig) and the electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), or personal vaporizer (VP).

The Construction Of E-cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes come in a variety of styles and sizes but they all tend to take up a cylindrical shape similar to that of a real cigarette. They consist of a power source, an atomizer, and a liquid delivery and container system.

Most e-cigs use a rechargeable battery as the power source. Some batteries use an airflow sensory system which is triggered by drawing breath from the device while others have a button that needs to be pressed when one is using the cigarette.

The atomizer is usually the central component in all the various designs of e-cigs. It mainly consists of a wicking material that draws the liquid in and a heating element that turns the liquid into vapor.

Smoking Cessation

Several studies have been conducted to measure how effective e-cigs are for smoking cessation. A 2011 review showed that e-cigarettes aid smokers to quit the habit of smoking and are even more effective than other therapies. This review revealed that the act of holding and puffing the electronic cigarette might be better at improving short-term cravings. The American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) also suggested that smokers who find it difficult to quit should consider using other products that contain nicotine such as electronic cigarettes.

A randomized control trial that was conducted in 2013 showed that the smoking cessation between smoking e-cigs with or without nicotine and nicotine patches is similar.

Safety Of E-cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes have faced a lot of scrutiny regarding their safety, with some organizations citing them as hazardous to the health of the user. However, e-cigs do not have the various toxins found in traditional cigarettes and therefore they are safer than a normal cigarette. There is also evidence that shows that e-cigs are possibly as safe as other Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT).

The biggest safety concern of e-cigs lies in the manufacturing process. A previous review questioned the purity of ingredients used by manufactures and the amount of nicotine put in the e liquid used with electronic cigarettes. That is why people are advised to exercise caution when buying e-cigs. It is wise to buy these products from reliable manufactures that use good quality, safe and tested ingredients.

Author Bio:

Alison Holmes, a smoking therapist who loves writing about health products, wrote this article. If you are an electronic cigarette beginner, Alison suggests you visit this website, to purchase everything you will require to get started.