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Electronic cigarettes–aka e-cigarettes–are devices that deliver nicotine in vapor form to users via a simple battery-powered system. Electronic cigarettes look like real cigarettes, and some even have an illuminated tip! The manufacturers of electronic cigarettes promote the devices as alternatives to conventional cigarettes and as smoking cessation tools.
What’s the point of electronic cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes were created to provide smokers with another tool to help wean them off tobacco products and eventually stop smoking. Nicotine is the main addictive component in tobacco. So, just like the nicotine patch and nicotine gum, electronic cigarettes should satisfy smokers’ cravings and allow them to stop using tobacco products, which contain many toxins and cancer-causing chemicals in addition to nicotine.
Electronic cigarettes might—theoretically—prove more effective than other forms of nicotine replacement because they more closely mimic the act of smoking, and thus serve as a more lifelike substitute. However, although research has shown that electronic cigarettes can help people stop smoking, there haven’t been any head-to-head comparisons with other forms of nicotine replacement in large populations.
So electronic cigarettes are a good thing, right?
Not so fast. The FDA highlights the following safety concerns with regard to electronic cigarettes:
- Electronic cigarettes have been associated with dry cough, and mouth and throat irritation.
- Electronic cigarettes may reduce lung function according to some studies, although other studies haven’t found a substantial effect.
- After analyzing the delivery cartridges in electronic cigarettes, the FDA found amounts of at least two well-known cancer-causing chemicals.
- Electronic cigarettes can cause a large rise in the blood level of nicotine, and nicotine isn’t entirely harmless; besides being addictive, it can raise the heart rate and blood pressure and damage small blood vessels, such as the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
- No study has yet adequately assessed the long-term safety of electronic cigarettes.
Are there other concerns about electronic cigarettes?
Yes. The manufacturers of electronic cigarettes market them to young people, putting them at risk for developing a nicotine addiction that could lead to eventual tobacco use. Electronic cigarettes are produced in a variety of flavors—including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and mint—that are meant to appeal to adolescents. Currently, electronic cigarettes can be sold without age restrictions, and they don’t require warning labels.
What if I use electronic cigarettes only recreationally?
We discourage everyone—particularly young people—from using electronic cigarettes as a recreational drug. We don’t know their long-term safety, and nicotine addiction is a real concern.
So what’s the best option if I want to quit smoking?
If you want to stop smoking, there are alternatives whose efficacy and side effects are better understood. These range from forms of nicotine replacement, to prescription medications, to interventions such as behavioral therapy. If you’re having trouble quitting smoking on your own, talk to your primary care physician, who will be delighted to help you sort through the alternatives and come up with a plan that best suits your needs.
I have studied e-cigarettes extensively, reading the firsthand studies, and medical literature surrounding them. This is (not by far, but by a debatable margin) the most biased, unscientific, and “fear-mongering” article I have ever read on the subject. Using the techniques the author used in this article, you could make anything — flip flops, home aquariums, dairy products — sound like a veritable public menace.
Hi Ryan, Thanks so much for your input. This article is a report on the new literature about electronic cigarettes, and the FDA assessment. I stand by the conclusion–we don’t know enough about electronic cigarettes, particularly their long-term safety—so the best option for quitting smoking is to try other better-studied options first.
E-cigarettes being a gateway to tobacco use for young people is a reasonable concern. It’s how medicine should be practiced – “first do no harm.” From your response, I gather you’ve tried e-cigarettes or know someone who has. I’d love to get your feedback on how it went. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond!
Malcolm Thaler, M.D.
Clinical Editor
One Medical Group
I’d be curious to find out what (if any) studies show for those like myself who are an ex-smoker, who’s switched to a personal vaperizor (e-cigarette like) in which has a ZERO nicotine level. I now only use my vap on occasions in which would trigger my desire for a cigarette (stress, going out to a bar, long distance driving) for my personal triggers.
Is quitting smoking better then vaping, yes. But I think vaping even with 2 cancer causing agents are better then smoknig. If treated as a stepping stone I think vaping can be a positive alternative.
I, and about a dozen of my friends, regularly use e-cigarettes, as well as cigarettes off and on, in various combinations (some people I know use e-cigarettes exclusively, some smoke on weekend nights and use e-cigarettes normally, some smoke only once in a while and use e-cigarettes occasionally, etc.)
My main issue with the blog post is the use of phrases like “FDA found amounts of at least two well-known cancer-causing chemicals.”
“Cancer-causing chemicals” can be found in just about anything, at least in trace amounts. Without saying what the chemicals are (and/or what their level of toxicity is) how many samples they were found in, the amount found in the samples, if they’re still being used commercially, what they’re purpose is, etc. you’re falsely leading the reader to believe that e-cigarettes are inherently dangerous to as great a degree as their imagination allows.
By using this, and other leading phrases, you’re using your clout as a medical professional to warn readers against using e-cigarettes, which may be a great smoking alternative for them. You should absolutely point out that there isn’t sufficient research to decide either way, but, again there isn’t sufficient research to make decisions on dozens of life choices we make every day. In absence of research, common sense and a thoughtful, informed analysis should be used to inform (which this article does not provide) and ultimately help the reader to make their own decision.
Although I no longer smoke, and was never addicted to cigarettes (at least not physically — I would often go days without smoking, but found it to be a pleasant social activity), several of my friends say that e-cigarettes were really the only thing that could get them to quit (or even to *want* to quit — offering a smoking-like alternative may convince people to make the switch who haven’t seriously considered quitting before)
E-cigarettes are so fundamentally different from any other smoking cessation aid out there, to try and say “you shouldn’t do that, you should use the patch/gum/therapy” is like telling a fast food junkie that it’s “steamed vegetables and lean chicken or nothing.”
On a more more practical note about my experience with e-cigarettes, if you’re curious — The nicotine in the e-cigarette gives a slight buzz and feeling of calm/ease of concentration, similar to smoking, although it does not give as much of a buzz/slight “high” feeling (that “first cigarette of the day” sort of feeling) like a regular cigarette would. I’ve heard that this is because of a lack of tar and other additional chemicals, although I’ve never bothered to find out.
I have had some experience with throat irritation, partly because of the flavorings (mint e-cigarettes obviously aren’t great — like breathing in Vicks Vaporub), but some of it is also obviously because of the nicotine. I’ve had similar mouth/throat irritation with nicotine gum and, to a much greater degree, with cigarettes.
Ms. Mitchell, your criticism is unjustified and unsubstantiated. What “techniques” are you referring to?
Even though it’s the web, what has happened to rigorous footnoting of articles and substantiating proof? I’d like to read those “studies” but there is no link and I just have to take it on trust that you’ve correctly summarized their results. That’s the problem with the web – everyone’s an ‘expert’ and no doubt while there is truth to a lot of this – I’d like to see proof!
Back it up!
Hi there,
Here are the links to:
- The study on adolescents and the appeal of e-cigarettes: http://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X%2812%2900409-0/fulltext
- The short-term side effects of electronic cigarettes: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/08958378.2012.758197
And, of course, there are no links on long-term effects because these studies haven’t been done yet. Thanks for your question.
Malcolm Thaler, M.D.
Clinical Editor
One Medical Group
Reading the jahonline article, a couple of things spring to mind. One, though there’s a reference to marketing to youth, the most critical aspect of a person’s likelihood of trying ecigs is not the flavor, but their current status as a smoker. It should not be assumed that providing nicotine in various flavors is a specific marketing ploy to young people. I can assure you that many adult users of ecigs really do appreciate the ability to avoid the taste / smell of tobacco.
I agree that companies should not be targetting youth for ecigs, but then I’m not actually seeing much of this activity. Knowning the nature of corporate marketting, it will likely be a problem that should / will be addressed in the future.
Let me make this one point, though, when it comes to marketing smoking to youth, there’s no greater marketer than the parents of those youth, particularly as the children are picking up so much second hand smoke over many years. So, note this as a single positive point to the ecig; though there is second hand vapor involved, and that vapor will contain some addictive nicotine, because the vapor is produced only on the drag-exhale, as opposed to a constantly burning cigarette, there will be much less environmental contamination from the ecig as from the smoke.
In the end, yes, I believe that your article was biased against the ecig, and in the end, I think it will be conclusively demonstrated that where nicotive addiction is still a health risk, the delivery of that nicotine via vapor vs via smoke wins the health-impact battle hands down.
I tend to agree with Ryan, some very leading and well worn comments are in this article, as well as Dr. Thaler’s reference of gateway to the real tobacco, really? I never followed that path to destruction, and I had used the e cig route for months, switching to the larger and more powerful vaporizers and started mixing my own flavors. Now, let me say, I do not believe that they are perfectly safe. I was really enjoying my latest mix one evening, a relaxing vape, and later fell fast asleep. Then the next morning I awoke to the discovery of a stroke. I am medically trained and teach for the AHA, so, I knew what was going on. The stroke hit my speech center and I lost the ability to talk for some time. I am now fully recovered, however, I suspect that the e cig may have had something to do with my event. Again, I don’t know that for a fact, but it needs to be further investigated. I still believe that the e cigerette substitute is less harmful, however, I’ll skip the real deal and the e version opting for clean air. The pharma solution is really a very bad idea, a powerful and dangerous drug, I would much rather have the nicotine.
To be sure, I mean no disrespect of Dr. Thaler’s writing, I just disagree with the usual assumptions, however, agree with his take on the need for study, even to the point I have had some conversation with friends at Duke Medical about this need, however, we collectively have no funding for such a study, nor is it likely to come from the tobacco lobby. Inhaling a solution, largely unknown or un disclosed, makes me nervous.
And a couple of additional thoughts, the majority bulk solution in many if not all of the vaporizing cigarettes seems to be Propylene Glycol, which is toxic or non-toxic depending on who you ask. The FDA loves it, (well, it is a chemical), and one of it’s manufacturers, as stated below, apparently does not think it appropriate for inhalation. Well, it de-ices jets well and seems to make a good antifreeze. Our food industry uses tons of it and phama loves it as well.
“It is therefore recommended that propylene glycol not be used in applications where inhalation exposure or human eye contact with the spray mists of these materials is likely, such as fogs for theatrical productions or antifreeze solutions for emergency eye wash stations” A statement from : “DOW: Product Safety Assessment (PSA): Propylene Glycol”
What do you think?
Hi Douglas,
First of all, and most importantly, I hope you have recovered from the stroke. You’re right that it’s impossible to know for sure if e-cigarettes was the cause, but nicotine can raise blood pressure, heart rate, etc. that can predispose to a stroke. As for your question on propylene glycol, I share your concerns. The FDA did–as you mentioned–“cleared” it because no studies have found any significant toxicity to date and but hasn’t been proven to be safe–we know it can be toxic. Here is an excerpt from an article in the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry about one case of propylene glycol poisoning from IV medications:
Propylene glycol is a common solvent used in many intravenous preparations and should be considered in cases of unexplained metabolic acidosis, particularly where there is concomitant hepatic and renal dysfunction. The clinical manifestations of propylene glycol poisoning are as non-specific as the metabolic derangement it causes. Stopping the infusion or switching to an alternative drug without propylene glycol usually resolves the toxic effects within 24 h. Judicious use of known intravenous medications containing propylene glycol is the best way to avoid this complication.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful analysis, and I sincerely hope you are doing well now, off cigarettes of any kind!
Malcolm Thaler, M.D.
Clinical Editor
One Medical Group
Only one more short post, possibly a positive note for propylene glycol is that it is widely used as a drug delivery method as is this article. However, as you can probably tell, I suspect many kinds of chemicals widely used in the pharmaceutical business are not so benign as we have been led to believe .
Look it up and enjoy
Preclinical safety evaluation of inhaled cyclosporine in propylene glycol
PG is used for astmatic inhalers also and has for years. The FDA also took their test from a e-liquid juice from China! The 3 – 4 ingrediants that are present in e-liquid are also found in cigarettes, PG, VG, and nicotine. Nicotine does not produce any disease, it may constrict in the slightest form, I have been vaping for 9 months and have no effects at all. Every Doctor should educate on the only device that really does work. The wonderful FDA wants to ban it, but cigarettes are approved!!
Why does everyone think that flavors are appealing to the young? ” Electronic cigarettes are produced in a variety of flavors—including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and mint—that are meant to appeal to adolescents.”
Doe we lose our taste buds when we reach 18? Adults don’t like strawberry, vanilla, etc? Have you seen all the flavors available in alcohol now? If adults don’t like flavors, these flavored alcohol products wouldn’t be selling and the companies would quit making it due to poor profits.
“Electronic cigarettes can cause a large rise in the blood level of nicotine, and nicotine isn’t entirely harmless; besides being addictive, it can raise the heart rate and blood pressure and damage small blood vessels, such as the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.” Cigarettes and nicotine replacements contain nicotine, so don’t they do the same thing as electronic cigarettes? Are you saying that only electronic cigarette nicotine causes these results? I find that very unlikely.
Hi Crystal
Both great comments. I know I still crave chocolate after all these years! We know that taste preferences change over time, and younger people are predisposed to liking sweeter flavors. As for the nicotine comment, you’re right on. The concern is if kids get used to inhaling nicotine in a cigarette-like form, they could be more likely easily to switch to the real thing, even if it doesn’t taste like a chocolate cookie.
Malcolm Thaler, M.D.
Clinical Editor
One Medical Group
I have personally been using e-cigarettes for about eight months. I have noticed many changes including better breathing, an enhanced sense of smell, better sense of taste, no cigarette “hangovers” and even a sense of disgust towards the smell of smoke on smokers. My wife has quit smoking using e-cigarettes, and I now feel confidence that I can as well.
I do not agree with your take that various flavors will entice the younger crowd, mostly because the cost is well beyond the range of what a 16 or 17 year-old can first shell out for the package. A single “disposable” e-cig retails for nearly ten dollars in most places around here. (The flavor of most of those products is pretty bad.) Additionally, just a small bottle (12 mg.) of the juice is around 12 dollars. The cartridge can hold up to a day’s worth of “vaping”, while the small bottle can last a few days.
The cost savings and real variety comes from ordering online. Obviously, 16 and 17 year olds cannot own credit cards and cannot enjoy these savings and flavors.
I smoked for more than 35 years, even through many cluster headache episodes which a neurologist told me were most likely caused by smoking. I have tried patches, gum, cold turkey, and even inhalers (a nicotine liquid in a cartridge which was “smoked” in a device that looked just like a cigarette holder..hey…wait a minute…) While I understand that you may have to urge caution, I would not dismiss e-cigarettes out of hand. There may well be consequences down the road from using these devices, but there is a far greater benefit from quitting smoking where no other method has worked.
I am SO happy with my e cig! I have been smoking for 15 years and have tried unsuccessfully to quit many times using smoking cessation products. The side effects of some of these were enough to drive me back to smoking. I’ve had my e cig 9 days and have had 4 cigarettes. I can’t even light one anymore without thinking how disgusting it is. I wouldn’t have even tried the vapor had it not been strawberry or chocolate. If it were cigarette flavored why not just smoke a cigarette? I have recently replaced many doctor prescribed medications with vitamins and minerals. I have a deep distrust of the pharm companies. I feel it’s big business and big money and many articles I’ve read against the e cig reek of a pharm company desperate to sell more Chantix
What’s the side effect list on that? Look it up, it’s as scary as most prescription medications. I have converted other smokers to vaping and will keep doing so!
Thank you Ryan for starting it off right. No body is ever going to be happy with anything any one does. And fear mongering sites like this will knock anything. Milk, LED lights, and instant coffee will kill us all.
No where on any ecig box or package that I purchased did it say it was mean to be used as a aid to stop smoking, most in fact urged against it. Kids will smoke anything no matter the flavor. Come on, it some kid teen or tween will eat vomit and earwax jellybeans I don’t think adding flavor to an ecig matters. Kids are going to do the opposite of what you tell them.
If someone finds a alternative to smoking with less dangers then good for them. Why are you reta retard trying to stop them. Many people enjoy smoking and do not wish to stop. People need to find a happy medium, sit back, shut up, and keep your liberal ideas to yourself.
If you want to smoke then smoke. Or shot guns then shot guns. Smoke weed then smoke weed. As long as they aren’t hurting anyone else and are adults then its there life
Everything kills us in the end.
I started smoking the e cig three months ago and enjoy it very much.I honestly have no desire to go back to traditional cigs.It is nice to wake up and have your sense of smell and taste the next day.My doctor was very happy that i switched to the e cig.I would like to see more research done on the e cig.The last comment i would like to make is i get a kick out of health care providers not covering the cost of the nicotine patch,gum,ect…
I just want to chip in that I’ve found the e cig to be a great smoking cessation aid. I’ve tried everything, the gum, the patch, cold turkey, and this is the only thing that’s worked long term for me. I’d love it if somebody would do a long term health study to address some of these concerns. Here’s a rundown of my experiences.
CHANTIX: I didn’t try it. My brother did. He had very vivid dreams and became suicidal. I’m very sensitive to psychoactive meds so I skipped this one. My doctor pushed it on me pretty aggressively (thanks Pharma).
PATCH: I cut down to a couple low nicotine cigarettes a day before going on the patch and I got the lowest possible dose patch. I still got a very extreme buzz from my first patch, so much that I felt nauseous. I tried half a patch and still got the intial buzz and a pretty bad rash. I also found that the patch didn’t last long with cravings returning within a few hours.
GUM: Worked pretty well. Very helpful that you could take it right when the craving hit. Some mouth and throat irritation, but not bad. I quit for about 4 months on the gum, but started smoking again gradually as I stopped using the gum.
COLD TURKEY: Really not as bad as you would think, especially if you taper leading up to it, eat healthy, exercise, and avoid alcohol while you’re doing it. If you think you can be disciplined and do those things, certainly the way to go. I found cold turkey to be about the same in terms of difficulty and mental anguish as any of the above therapies.
What gets me, and many smokers I’m sure, is being around other smokers, especially while drinking. That’s always where I fall of the wagon. With the gum I was able to get back on track the next day, but yeah, once I start slipping, the end game is always the same. The e cigarette is hands down the best tool for these situations. It’s a plausible substitute that feels close enough to the real thing that I can make it through those times.
I don’t find the e cig very enjoyable (whereas I LOVE to smoke) but it is a helpful tool. Like everything else, I worry about it, which is what led me here. Health industry, FDA, get on top of this research! I’m sure you can find a way to regulate and make money of this too.
I am 54 years old and have smoked for 41 years.Smoking is VERY ADDICTIVE AND I LOVE IT. With no desire to quit! But for the heck of it I decided to try vaping,because it is less harmful, Heres the shocker. Since my very first vape at a 20 nicotene level I have not even desired a cigarette.7 months later I am at a 14 nicotene level and am determined to take off the 13 pounds I put on since.Since my breathing has improved ,excersizing is soooo much easier.I am actually able to take off the weight while still dropping nicotene levels. And I am actually looking forward to NO NICOTENE AT ALL!!!!! Guess VAPING is working for me.
I am 57 and, like Deborah, smoked for 41 years. Over the years I have tried to quit many times, using gum, patches, Wellbutrin, Chantix, therapy, etc. The longest I was off cigarettes was 2 months. I tried vaping at the suggestion of a friend and have not had a cigarette for one year! I have titrated the nicotine level from 18 mg to 12 and now 6. The next step is 0 nicotine but I have the rest of my life. While it is concerning to hear that e-liquid contains carcinogens, I feel better, smell better, and am confident that I will quit even e-cigarettes in time. I just don’t want someone telling me that I can’t use them, because I really don’t want to start smoking again but I know that is what would happen.
Paul
I am so glad I come across this on the web. I kept seeing this little advertisement about how bad ecigs were for you. So, here I am checking it out. I have smoked since I was 12 years old and fell in love with it may it have been out of defiance
or just my cup of tea I can’t remember but I never stopped. Later in life I tried Smoke Enders they told me I to addictive for them to help me after paying $250.00 for the program, I tried Hypnotisms several times no luck at all not even for a an hour. Went through the Wellbutrin which made me a nut case all I did was cry for days and after the 3rd day I said forget it and threw them away. Chantrix side effects made me feel bad all the time stopped that. Smoked with the patches. The only thing that has helped and it has taken me a year for this to work is the e-cig vapor. I don’t like the dry ones at all. I am now finally smoke free from tobacco after 43 years. I am so darn proud and happy and the amount of possible side effects that using my e cigarettes may hurt you is a small price to pay for me to live 5 to 10 years longer and if I don’t it wasn’t meant to be. It is nice not to be a slave to something so expensive. I do hope the Government does not get into taxing this also I heard something through the grapevine but it would not surprise me. Government price controlled (funny and they want to run health care but allow all the things they say are bad for you to sell and raise the taxes on it,) . I appreciate the information all of it and I love reading all of your stories just to know I am not a freak like others have made me feel like for so many years now because I did smoke. I don’t judge people for what they do and I won’t start now (the government yes lol) if vaping helps you then I would recommend it and have anytime of the day. If they took it away I too like Paul would start smoking again also. I just know my nature. P.S. I did learn something I had no idea of and that is the numbers I guessed but never found the answer I always get the 24ml and have some 16ml now I know why I am not as satisfied with the 16 as I am with the 24. Now I can help myself wean down also. Makes sense but I really never thought about it. Nora
I’ve recently decided to quit smoking… At least actual cigarettes. I started out with the regular cartridge cigarettes which in no way did I enjoy. Took too much work to suck on to get a decent hit and wasn’t enjoyable. So I turned back to cigarettes. About a year ago I tried again. This time I used the liquid vaporizer (in my case I started with White Rhino Liquid) and enjoyed it much more. So much in fact that I cut back my cigarette smoking. The only time I found myself wanting an actual cigarette was being around other smokers and, not craving the cigarette, just wanting to see what it was like again. This of course got me back on cigarettes. Up until about 2 weeks ago I was going back and forth between the two and then today I had a sudden urge to do some research. Mostly because someone had mentioned to me that E-cigs are possibly a placebo… Of course the only way that that is true is if you have a 0mg juice. Regardless coming across this article, honest to god scared the living shit out of me. Like holy shit what if this shit is actually bad for me.. Excuse my language. .. So in that aspect I agree with Ryan that the way you’ve worded your article is intimidating. Sadly enough, back on the e-cig i love it again. I’ve recently bought an apple and watermelon flavored to experiment and have some options besides the menthol that i’ve always smoked even as a regular cigarette. I started smoking at the early age of 9 years old, and it wasn’t a fruity flavor that attracted me, just a desire to try it. Now I’m 22, and I’m honestly tired of waking up in the morning with my chest feeling like someone is standing on it and coughing up nasty phlegm. Since I’ve been using my E-cig I use it all the time, probably more than I should, but I feel better being able to be around my wife and not have her complain about the smell… Hell even I enjoy not smelling like cigarettes. Being around other smokers smells disgusting. I’m not sure why I felt the need to comment, I’m no expert. But I feel alot like some of the people who’ve commented. So thought I’d put my two cents in. THanks for reading.
What is the point of this article?
You should concentrate on switching smokers to electronic cigarettes for now instead of finding something wrong with it.
Myself and people I know quit smoking tobacco and staff.I can stay even from ecigs for weeks. It is a great product with possibility of new “cancer free” additives being developed in a future.
There are more dangerous chemicals in Los Angeles air then in ecigs.
Hello Everyone, it’s been about a week since someone has commented so I figured I put in my two cents to keep ‘er goin’…
I have smoked since I was 15 (I’m 27 now), started smoking a pack-a-day around 17. I never tried the patch but talked to enough people that said it either didn’t work or that they got so damn addicted to it that cigarettes were the only way to quit the patch…. I tried the gum once but the strong nicotine in the back of my throat would almost make me nauseous (kinda like if you ever accidentally swallow chew-spit) not to mention the heart-burn is ridiculous. My dad chewed for years and convinced me never to get hooked (with the threat that he would kick my ass if I ever started chewing) haha. Anyways, so I’ve smoked for about 12 years now and only had a successful 6 months of quitting with the first time I tried Chantix. My girlfriend and I bought a couple e-cig kits and ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM! I have yet to have a real cigarette and have been using the e-cig for about a month now. I don’t stink, I don’t cough, I can breath better, I can smell better…. Everything about switching over has been positive. even if there are a few harmful chemicals in the e-cig, it’s much better than the other 4,000 chemicals in traditional cigarettes. I also love that there are lower nicotine options. I am currently using 18mg nicotine level but already plan on dropping down to 14mg with my next order.
I too was curious about the health risks of e-cigs and that is what led me to this site. I love that most stand strong with this being such an awesome alternative to anything else. It’s the most similar to the real thing and certainly the CHEAPEST!! I did the math and I have basically gone from a $10-a-day habit (a pack of cigarettes are approx. $8-10 in Alaska) to about a $1.00-a-day habit. I have already saved about $540 this month alone between me and my girlfriend.
Overall this has really been the winner for me. I really hope that traditional cigarettes make their way out the door as this is 2013 and e-cigs are the way of the future.
Thanks all for reading and good luck to those still trying to find their alternative. Have a dandy-day! Cheers!
I have been a smoker since I was 16(I’m 33 now) I started with cigs and switched to swisher sweets. I have always wanted to quit, but never found anything that could calm the habit(not the craving) until this past weekend when my fiancé and I both bought an e-cig. They are wonderful. For the first time since I have started smoking I found something that can subdue the habit and craving both at the same time while being healthier and a lot less expensive. I have now not smoked a real cig or cigar in a week and my lungs feel better already. I don’t wake up coughing. It does have a slight irritation in the mouth(not horrible at all), but that is from the nicotine. It was a lot worse irritation on the skin with the patch and even more so with the gum. I personally think this is by far the best way to quit and wein yourself off nicotine, while still being able to enjoy the habit of having a smoke. I hope those that are concerned about it but want to try it have as much luck with them as I have so far and I’m looking forward to a healthier lifestyle due to them. The big tobacco companies just want to try to find something wrong with them so they can continue to have a monopoly and make billions off of killing us.
Thank you everyone who has posted !! I am 43 years old and have smoked since I was 9. I’m relieved to hear there are others out there. I’m scared of the damage I have already done but nothing has worked so far for any great amount of time. I tried my first e cig ( from the gas station) which tastes disgusting but I love knowing I have an alternative!!! I will be successful this time. I need to find a made in the USA and good flavor and I am all in!
I just have to wonder if all of the supportive comments, testimonials, etc, on this thread, have made you (the author) rethink some of your position on these things.
No disrespect, it’s true that studies will take time to complete, and online comment threads are not scientific, but there sure seems to be alot of support on this thread and just about every other that I’ve read, that supports the likelihood of real benefits to switching to vape from smoke.
I am a mother of two sweet toddler girls . so I need to quit for them and me !
Finally after smoking since 13 and I’m 43 . I have with e cig . I tried everything
Mentioned above . this was so easy and painless . Im throw with both
Now for the most part . And just every now with friends and when I’m stressed do the e cig every now and then . I just kept buying less nic level
till I could quit all together . I feel the e cig might of saved my life and my daughters somehow . At least i can be a healthy example now by not smoking
In front of them anymore . Amen . All though I always smoked outside and tried to hide it from them, they still knew totally . now they know I quit through
the e cig . and they are so happy . took just a few months . best invention ever . I only used smoke flavor to quit, so I wouldn’t like any fun flavorings.
Google luck to all ,
Mom of 2 saved by E cig … Dramatic . But true
Hello
This is best way to quit smoking, or i can say electronic cigarettes is the best alternative to quit smoking. All i have to say that choose e cig if you guys really want to quit smoking because e cig is the initial way for it.
Thanks.
I don’t know why doctors consider nicotine addictive even when all the research shows otherwise. I’ll condense it for you.
If nicotine is the substance in tobacco that satisfies smokers then nicotine alone satisfies smokers.
Nicotine alone does not satisfy smokers.
Therefore, nicotine is not the substance in tobacco that satisfies smokers.
The first premise is supported by all the evidence that shows: using an addictive substance extracted from a source has a more immediate and more powerful an effect than the source. (For instance cocaine vs. coca leaves, morphine vs. opium, alchohol vs. beer)
The second premise is supported by all the evidence that people do not get hooked on nicotine products like the patch, gums, nasal sprays, and inhalers. 80%, 85%, or 90% of the people who use these nicotine alone products go back to smoking, the rate depnding on the length of time of the cessation.
The argument is a valid form with true premisses. So, the conclusion is true.
I believe the difficulty in quitting and remaining abstinent for many years is that people get addicted to the smoke. I believe that is because the genus Homo has been using fire for protection, industry, cooking, and etc. for hundreds of thousands of years and at least a million years for protection. So, natural selection has overridden the primitive part of the brain that responds to smoke with “flight”, with a response of a feeling of security. That’s what I feel when I smoke. Nicotine is to tobacco what caffein is to coffee.
I have been smoking only electronic cigarettes for a couple of months now and I’ll never go back to tobacco. I don’t inhale the vapor so I’m not much worried about what it will do to my lungs. I do know I cough a whole lot less than I did and my throat is not as sore as it was.
As for the “gateway” idea: I think it’s bogus. It’s been used against marijuana and it’s been used against pornography. So, for instance, the majority of hard drug users started with marijuana. But, what percentage of marijuana smokers get hooked on the really addictive drugs?
I read the FDA report saying they found detectable amounts of poison (diethylene glycol) and carcinogens (nitrosamines).. But, how much is a detectable amount? If they’re safer than tobacco then why would the FDA ban e-cigarettes? And, why would any government agency risk another reaction to prohibition? Haven’t they learned the history lesson?
I smoked over 25 yes, every morning hacking my lungs up from cigarettes, 2 ¹/² yrs ago I switched to e cigs. I wake up cough free, I breathe 110% better than I did at 21. I save over $500 a month now my husband and I converted to e cigs. I have a lung disease and had to be treated with inhalers and breathing machines daily since I switched to the e cigs I no longer have to be treated daily.
It’s almost impossible for anything to be as bad for you as cigarettes. The effectiveness of an e-cig vs other quitting methodologies is all that matters. My friends have found it very helpful.