Electronic cigarettes have become very popular in the last ten years. Although they have been around for a while longer, as vaporizers and other devices, the pen sized electronic cigarettes that almost emulate the shape, form and act of smoking as traditional cigarettes are now in vogue. They are being hailed as an effective way to quit smoking, a healthier alternative to smoking and even those who have never smoked are now able to indulge in the act of smoking without really smoking tobacco. There are certain obvious advantages of electronic cigarettes but the dangers and shortcomings must also be taken into account.
List of Pros of E Cigs
1. No Smoke
Electronic cigarettes don’t have any smoke. Nothing is burned as such. The liquid in the cartridge is heated and that emits the vapor. Since there is no smoke, there is no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and there is no ash. There is no chemical laden smoke or air for the smoker to puff in. It is thus healthy.
2. No Tobacco
E cigs don’t have tobacco. They have special liquids in the cartridges. Even if you use herbs or flavored liquids, you aren’t exactly smoking or consuming tobacco in any way. That is again desirable and a way to keep smoking but quitting the traditional cigarette.
3. Varying Nicotine Content
E cigs come with no nicotine, very little nicotine and very high nicotine. Smokers can choose the content of nicotine they want. While traditional cigarettes do come as strong and light or mild variants, there is none that has no nicotine.
4. No Passive Smoking
E cigs do not lead to passive smoking. There is no smoke to begin with and the vapor that is generated is directly taken in by the smoker. Very little actually gets blown out in public.
5. Smoking in Public
In most countries, you can smoke e cigs in public places without being fined.
6. Cost Effective
There are expensive brands of e cigs but if you opt for the affordable ones, then they cost less than traditional cigarettes.
List of Cons of E Cigs
1. Toxic and Harmful
There are now reports that say e cigs have toxins and harmful substances that are not always labeled correctly. Some of those may be carcinogenic and thus may cause just as much harm as smoking tobacco, if not more.
2. Doesn’t Help in Quitting
Many smokers who had switched to e cigs have gone back to smoking tobacco. There is little evidence to prove that smokers actually quit.
3. Youngsters taking to Smoking
Since e cigs are deemed cool, the young who would otherwise stay away from smoking tobacco are taking to consuming e cigs.