Are Smokeless Cigarettes Safe?
This is a guest post by ric from http://www.ecigaretteshop.com. Visit his site to read great e cigarette reviews and get the latest news on what’s happening in the industry.
With the recent news report of a Florida man losing several teeth and part of his tongue to a so called “exploding e-cigarette” the electronic devices have become the center of safety concerns and controversy. Already under assault for the “unknown health risks” of using e-cigs, the hot question is fast becoming: are e-cigs really safe?
The unfortunate Florida incident has been much promoted in the press—and only rarely with the actual details provided. Yes, a man in that state was injured—but it should be stressed that the so called “e-cigarette” he was smoking was not any commercially available brand—but what is called a “garage mod”. This is a do-it-yourself version of the real electronic device, cobbled together from components bought separately on the internet, and worse, the battery on the device had been tampered with by the victim himself in an attempt to make it more powerful.
Anytime you attempt to modify ANY electronic device—unless you are an electrical engineer or an electrician, you are asking for trouble. Putting said device in your mouth after having amped up a battery beyond its specifications? That is downright foolhardy.
A little common sense goes a long way. Most Americans wouldn’t think of buying anything electrical without the sticker proclaiming that the item is “UL Listed” –an important guarantee of product safety. The same sort of caution should apply to electronics devices the end of use of which is to be put into a user’s mouth.
The facts of the matter are these: millions of e-cigarettes have been used over the face of the globe in the eight years since they were first offered for sale. And to date—this incident in Florida has been the only known incident.
Buy an established brand of e-cigarettes, which have been stringently tested and you’ll be just fine—mess around with batteries and other components you aren’t qualified to, and you won’t.
Additionally, much has been made in recent months about the “unknown dangers” of using e-cigarettes—press and public officials alike raising a hue and cry about possible dangers from the vapor emitted. All while tobacco cigarettes are rarely mentioned, and the fact that tobacco under combustion delivers over 4000 tars, toxins and chemicals into a smoker’s lungs with each PUFF seems to be forgotten.
E-cigarettes are not combustible. No flame is needed to “light-up” and no smoke is forthcoming from the devices. A liquid comprised of a nicotine solution, food grade flavorings and a common food additive propylene glycol is heated up to create WATER VAPOR which mimics smoke but which is categorically not smoke. Propylene glycol is not only commonly used as a food additive, it is also a component of asthma inhalers! If it is safe enough for people suffering from that condition to be inhaling on a daily basis, it is almost impossible to understand how it could present a hazard in e-cig vapor.
And yes, an e-cig delivers nicotine in its vapor. That is, IF the user chooses it to!
All current e-cig retailers and marketers offer solutions in a variety of nicotine strengths from the equivalent amount a heavy smoker is exposed to by his daily habit, down to ZERO mgs of nicotine. It is up to the end user to order the nicotine in the strength he or she wants it—no tobacco cigarette on earth offers that choice to a smoker. Former smokers who’ve switched to e-cigs have even used the devices and the e-liquids in declining nicotine strengths to step down and quit smoking altogether.
Further, nicotine may be addictive (although some research now says that it’s the actual tars and chemicals in tobacco that cause physical dependence), but it is also not on any list of “controlled substances”, it is not regulated and its use policed by drug enforcement agencies. If consenting adults choose to have nicotine delivered into their bodies, it is far better to do so by a means that spares the user exposure to smoke laden with known cancer causing substances and toxins. Isn’t that just common sense?
Sensationalism, sadly, is what makes news these days. What is needed when it comes to e-cigarettes and their use is further study of the devices, their emissions and the safety of their use. e-Cig advocates welcome that happening!
In the meantime, is an e-cig safe? Indeed it is, much safer than lighting up that traditional tobacco cigarette and then some!
Posted by on April 11th, 2012 :: Filed under Smokeless Cigarettes
Tags :: e cigarette safety
