10 Facts About E-Cigarettes
10 Facts About E-Cigarettes
The dangers of traditional cigarettes have been well-known for many years, so it is hardly surprising that E-cigs are gaining in popularity as a genuine alternative. Sadly this doesn’t mean that public perception of electronic cigarettes is always positive as a great deal of misinformation and misunderstandings persist, particularly about whether vaping is any healthier than smoking a traditional cigarette. The key point to remember is that, even though they look rather like their tobacco counterparts, E-cigs can be completely tobacco-free if you choose a nicotine free e-liquid. So if you’re considering joining the electronic cigarette trend, you might find these 10 facts both informative:
1. Vaping is More Economical
Regular smokers of tobacco products will be able to testify to the alarmingly high costs involved in purchasing cigarettes. The great news about E-cigs is that they are cheaper once the initial investment has been made. If you’re thinking of taking up vaping, you’ll need the E-cig device, a battery and a handful of liquids initially but your only cost going forward will be the replacement liquids which are considerably more affordable than traditional
2. E-cigs Are Not That New!
Believe it or not, the first electronic cigarette first appeared back in 1963, although it wasn’t until the Chinese got their hands on the idea that large scale production actually started to happen (with the product introduced to the US in 2007). Herbert A. Gilbert’s ‘smokeless non-tobacco cigarette’ not only sounds like the same product (although he needed a catchier name, granted); it also worked in much the same way as the modern version. If only he’d heard of ‘Dragon’s Den’…
3. Few People Can Will ‘No’
Attempt to light up a tobacco cigarette in a restaurant or aboard a train and the chances are you’ll be swiftly ordered to put it out. Laws in many countries have been tightened up in recent years to severely restrict smoking in public but these regulations don’t always extend to E-cigs. While there are some exceptions, of course, on the whole you can vape at will where you like, including restaurants, cinemas, shopping centres and even on some airplanes. The e-cig policy has tightened since the early days though so it is best to ask permission before vaping!
4. Never Mind the Matches
By the nature of their name you’ve probably guessed that electronic cigarettes are battery powered so you never need to ask some strange bloke for a light again. When you inhale on an E-cig, the battery powers up the unit to heat the cartridge of liquid inside, vaporising it so that you can breathe it in. There’s no tobacco, so no smoke (just vapour clouds), no noxious gases and no lingering smell for others to object to.
5. You’ve Got the Power
E-cigs are powered by batteries which, for those who have trouble remembering to recharge their mobile phone, could pose a problem! Realistically, though, rechargeable batteries offer fantastic convenience and are perfect for keeping your electronic cigarettes energised. Many products are compatible with in-car and USB chargers so, in the event that your battery runs low, you can simply plug it into the nearest laptop or the DC socket in your car or truck.
6. E-cigs Do Not "Explode"
A much-publicised rumpus in the US recently following a small fire aboard a passenger plane in Chicago, allegedly caused by an electronic cigarette, has led to some claims that the devices should be banned in flight. But even the lithium battery that powers an E-cig is regarded to be absolutely safe, as is the liquid which is contained in the cartridge, so an exploding E-cig is simply not likely to happen. We do however urge that e-cig users always use the correct battery. We heard of instances when some people have tried charging their electronic cigarettes with and iPhone charger!
10. An End to Tobacco Smoking?
Finally, the medical journal ‘The Lancet’ has published research suggesting E-cigs are statistically comparable to nicotine patches in helping smokers to kick the habit over a 6 month period.
