Facts About eCIG's

Electronic cigarettes are rising in popularity every month, and people are using them as an alternative to cigarettes. Because these devices are so new, there are a number of questions that surround them. In particular, people want to know exactly what cigarette vapor is. While most understand that vapor is not smoke and does not leave behind a strong smell, electronic cigarette vapor is still a mystery to many.
 

Vaping VS Smoking-Should You Switch?

​

Vaping VS Smoking; what’s the big deal?

According to health officials, smoking can cause several types of cancers, several types of leukemia, vascular disease, heart disease, pneumonia, emphysema, blindness, chronic bronchitis, bad breath, aging, erectile dysfunction, gum disease, macular degeneration, yellow brittle nails and the list goes on. Let’s not forget to mention that it leaves a vile smell in your hair, skin and on your clothes. Smoking can also shorten your lifespan. Do you know the average woman or man takes about 13-15 years off of their life when they smoke? While cigarette companies are steady pushing the cigarettes out the door, this is something that they neglect to tell you. If they do, it’s mostly in print that you can barely read.

​

Vaping VS Smoking- What are the Risks?What about the risks associated with vaping? There are no major risks associated with vaping that are known at this time, but there are some benefits. With vaping, you’re basically inhaling something on fire out of an electric cigarette, but it’s in no way similar to smoking. The vapor that you inhale is mixed with nicotine for an experience that is truly unique. There is absolutely no tobacco in them, and their battery operated. Not only do you reduce your risk of obtaining serious health related issues, but you also eliminate the odor associated with tobacco filled cigarettes and there’s absolutely no smoke to worry about.  It’s true that vaping comes with a little odor, but it’s barely even detected and you can be confident that no one else will detect it while you’re using your electronic cigarette.

When thinking about Vaping VS Smoking, think about how smoking affects others around you including your family, friends, co-workers and others that you come in contact with. When you smoke around people who don’t smoke, not only are you putting yourself at risk for health issues related to smoking, but you’re endangering them as well. Do you know that at least 53,000 Americans die from second hand smoke each year? Not only does this include adults, but also babies and children. Stop putting yourself and others at risk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You're at your favorite restaurant, enjoying a meal. A diner at the next table is puffing on a cigarette, letting out a cloud of smoke. Because smoking isn't allowed in the restaurant, you're thinking about asking the smoker to put the cigarette out. But before you protest, consider this: Your neighbor may not be smoking at all.

​

Electronic cigarettes, also known as smokeless cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or e-cigs, are an alternative method of consuming nicotine, the addictive chemical found in tobacco. Manufacturers often design e-cigarettes to look like regular cigarettes, but they contain no tobacco and don't require a match -- or any flame at all.

An e-cigarette is a battery-powered device that converts liquid nicotine into a mist, or vapor, that the user inhales. There's no fire, no ash and no smoky smell. E-cigarettes do not contain all of the harmful chemicals associated with smoking tobacco cigarettes, such as carbon dioxide and tar.

​

Manufacturers and satisfied customers say the e-cigarette is a healthier alternative to tobacco cigarettes, which cause millions of deaths every year. Some users say e-cigs have helped reduce their "smoker's cough," sharpened their senses of taste and smell, and even improved their sleep.

The electronic cigarette was invented by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik, who patented the device in 2003 and introduced it to the Chinese market the following year. Numerous companies are now selling e-cigarettes to customers around the world. But as e-cigarette smoking -- or "vaping" as it's sometimes called -- has grown in popularity, some have concerns about its safety, including the possibility that the vapor created by the devices contains dangerous chemicals.

​

Is the electronic cigarette a cleaner, healthier choice for smokers? Or is it a dangerous device with hidden risks? Both viewpoints have their merits

​

​Facts about smoking tobacco in comparison to the e-Cigarettes
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus
Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as an organic pesticide, and in the form of nicotine
tartrate it is used in some medicines. In consumption it most commonly appears in the
forms of smoking, chewing, snuffing, or dipping tobacco.
Tobacco has long been in use as an entheogen in the Americas. However, upon the arrival
of Europeans in North America, it quickly became popularized as a trade item
and as a recreational drug. This popularization led to the development of the southern
economy of the United States until it gave way to cotton.
Following the American Civil War, a change in demand and a change in labor force
allowed for the development of the cigarette. This new product quickly led to the growth
of tobacco companies until the scientific controversy of the mid-1900s.
The primary risks of tobacco usage include many forms of cancer, particularly lung cancer, cancer of the kidney, cancer of the larynx and head
and neck, breast cancer, bladder, esophagus, pancreas, and stomach.
There is some evidence suggesting an increased risk of myeloid leukemia, squamous cell sinonasal cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer,
colorectal cancer after an extended latency, childhood cancers and cancers of the gall bladder, adrenal gland and small intestine.
A person's increased risk of contracting disease is directly proportional to the length of time that
a person continues to smoke as well as the amount smoked. However, if someone stops smoking,
then these chances gradually decrease as the damage to their body is repaired.
A year after quitting, the risk of contracting heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker.
The health risks of smoking are not uniform across all smokers. Risks vary according to amount of
tobacco smoked, with those who smoke more at greater risk.
What South African Doctors say about electronic cigarettes.
Prof Martin Veller, Head Vascular Surgeon at the University of the Witwatersrand, who participated
in the project said that e-cigarettes have the appearance of normal tobacco cigarettes but are
non-toxic. "Motivated by my wife's experience, who smoked traditional cigarettes heavily until the
moment she replaced them with electronic cigarettes, I have advised my patients to consider
e-cigarettes as an alternative nicotine source."
The primary cartridge ingredient in the iSmoke is propylene glycol, and the secondary ingredients are water, nicotine and a flavor to mimic the
taste of traditional smoking. iSmoke cartridges contain none of the tar or additives found in all tobacco-based products.
* Propylene Glycol - The Food and Drug Administration (USA) has determined propylene glycol to be "generally recognized as safe" for use in food,
cosmetics, and medicines. It is used in food coloring, and flavoring, as an additive to keep food, medicines and cosmetics moist, and in
machines that simulate smoke. In the iSmoke, propylene glycol functions to provide the vapor mist that looks like smoke and to suspend flavor
* Water – The water used in iSmoke cartridges is filtered via a reverse-osmoses process
* Nicotine – is an alkaloid found in certain plants, predominately tobacco, and in lower quantities, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants,
cauliflower, bell-peppers and some teas. (Did you know that if you have eaten 6kg of eggplant you have consumed 1 x cigarette?)
* Ethanol – is 200% proof alcohol (same as used in making alcoholic beverages, and is used to extract nicotine from the tobacco leaf.
* Glycerol (glycerin) – Glycerol is a chemical compound also commonly called glycerin or glycerine. It is a colorless, odorless,
viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. For human consumption, glycerol is classified by the FDA
among the sugar alcohols as a caloric macro nutrient.
* Acetylpyrazine – Used in the creation and/or manufacturing of cocoa, coffee, roasted peanuts, tea, beer, breakfast cereals, ice cream, candy,
and other food products and nicotine cartridges and has been deemed safe for use by people.
* Guaiacol – is an ingredient use to give the smoky taste.
* Mysomine– is found in nut products, as well as tobacco
* Cotinine– is metabolite of nicotine. Some studies have suggested that cotinine (as well as nicotine) improves memory and prevents neuron death
* Vanillin– is used in the food industry as a flavoring agent in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
All the ingredients are considered to be generally safe - compared to tobacco which injects more than 4,000 chemicals of which more than 10% are
toxic and carcinogenic, into your system!
 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

29 July 2009,
Professor Martin Veller - Head Vascular Surgeon

University of the Witwatersrand
Dr. Clifford Hulley, medical professional
The study's outcome revealed that:
The findings of a recent local South African medical survey

into electronic cigarettes has shown that the technology

can help smokers kick the habit. Doctors reported that 45

percent of South African smokers who used e-cigarettes

were able to quit tobacco smoking within two months.
Over an eight week study period, doctors supplied 349

patients with e-cigarettes which is an electronic device

that delivers nicotine through vapour but without the tar, carcinogens or smoke found in standard cigarettes.
* Six per cent of smokers quit within two weeks increasing to 45 percent within eight weeks.
* Fifty-two percent of all patients reported both increased levels of energy and visible improvement in their physical appearance
* When asked what factors about smoking tobacco cigarettes were the hardest to give up, 49 percent of patients
said nicotine cravings and 24 percent the habit itself. Twenty seven percent of all participating smokers said that a combination of all factors— the habit, nicotine, the taste and feeling of smoking—made it hard to quit. All participating doctors agreed that e-cigarettes are a significantly more healthy alternative to conventional smoking. When asked if an e-cigarette could act as an agent to overcome all the physical and psychological challenges to quit tobacco smoking, all doctors said 'yes'. I have advised my patients to consider
e-cigarettes as an alternative nicotine source."

​

Dr Clifford Hulley, one of the participating medical professionals in the survey, reported that "an e-cigarette is the most effective treatment method on the market for quitting tobacco smoking". Prof Martin Veller, Head Vascular Surgeon at the University of the Witwatersrand, who participated in the project said that e-cigarettes have the appearance of normal tobacco cigarettes but are non-toxic. "Motivated by my wife's experience, who smoked traditional cigarettes heavily until the moment she replaced them with electronic cigarettes, Dr Kishore Deva, a general practitioner from Pretoria, quit tobacco using electronic cigarettes over a six week period and reported that "around 10 to 15 puffs are equivalent to the same amount of nicotine delivered by a tobacco cigarette". He added that "nicotine is not responsible for the health risks that tobacco cigarettes hold. In my view electronic cigarettes are a safe product to use".
Health New Zealand carried out trials into the safety of e-cigarettes. According to the head of research
Dr Murray Laugeson, the test found that e-cigarettes were very safe relative to cigarettes, and also safe
in absolute terms on all measurements. The report is available from our website http://www.iSmoke.co.za
"Using micro-electronics, an e-cigrarette vaporises, separately for each puff, very small quantities of nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol, two small well-known molecules with excellent safety profiles, into a fine aerosol. Each puff contains one third to one half the nicotine in a tobacco cigarette's puff. The cartridge liquid is tobacco-free and no combustion occurs."

According to Matt Salmon, president of the Electronic Cigarette Association (ECASSOC) in the USA, available data indicates that electronic cigarettes reduce the risk of illness and death to under one percent of the risk posed by tobacco cigarettes which are responsible for 400 000 deaths per year in the US— more than Aids, drugs, homicides, fires and auto accidents combined.
 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Using an Electronic Cigarette

Lighting a traditional cigarette causes the tobacco to burn, releasing smoke that contains nicotine. The user breathes in the smoke to deliver nicotine to the lungs. An electronic cigarette doesn't rely on this process of combustion. Instead, it heats a nicotine liquid and converts the liquid to a vapor, or mist, that the user inhales. Depending on the e-cigarette, the user may simply inhale from the cartridge to begin the vaporization process, though some devices have a manual switch that activates the vaporizer inside.

An e-cigarette has three main parts:

    a rechargeable lithium battery
    a vaporization chamber
    a cartridge

The lithium battery powers the e-cigarette and can be charged using a charger similar to those used for cell phone batteries. The charged battery is connected to the vaporization chamber, a hollow tube that contains electronic controls and an atomizer -- the component that creates the vapor. Before the user activates the device, he or she attaches a cartridge containing nicotine liquid to the vaporization chamber. The tip of the cartridge serves as the e-cigarette's mouthpiece.

​

E-cigarette users inhale the way they would with a regular cigarette. This inhalation activates the atomizer to heat the liquid in the cartridge and convert the liquid to a vapor. Inhaling this vapor through the mouthpiece delivers nicotine to the lungs, and the user exhales vapor that looks much like a cloud of cigarette smoke.

Fans of e-cigarettes say they enjoy many of the same sensations as tobacco smokers -- holding the device in their hand, inhaling and exhaling. Many e-cigarettes have a light-emitting diode (LED) on the end that lights up when the user inhales, simulating flame. (Artificial flame is the only safe kind when using an e-cigarette -- trying to light the device could cause the battery to ignite and explode.)

​

The liquid or "smoke juice" that fills the cartridges is usually propylene glycol, an additive that the FDA has approved for use in food. (Fog machines that create a smoky atmosphere at stage shows also use propylene glycol.) Consumers can buy cartridges containing different amounts of nicotine, or no nicotine at all. Manufacturers usually add flavorings to the liquid. Options range from tobacco and menthol flavor to mint, chocolate, coffee, apple, cherry and caramel.

​

E-cigarette companies sell their products in retail stores, but also, increasingly, online. A wide array of models and brands are available. Some mimic the appearance of tobacco cigarettes, while others look like cigars, pipes and even pens. Prices vary, ranging from $40 to $120 for a starter kit, which usually includes a charger and a few cartridges along with the e-cigarette. Cartridges typically last about as long as a pack of 20 tobacco cigarettes and sell for about $10 each. Consumers also can purchase bottles of e-liquid and refill the cartridges themselves. This reduces the cost of use, generally making e-cigarettes cheaper to use than tobacco cigarettes.

But even if they're affordable and fun to use, are e-cigarettes safe? Some health experts are concerned about marketers promoting them as a healthier alternative to tobacco. So before you trade in your pack of smokes for the electronic version, read on as we fill you in on the potential health risks of e-cigarettes.

​
Health Risks and Safety Concerns​

Quality control is one of the main issues health experts have with e-cigarettes. They argue that manufacturers may not disclose all of the chemical ingredients used in their products. This means it may be impossible for users to know exactly what they're consuming. There is also not much known about the short- or long-term health effects of exposure to nicotine vapor.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a small study in 2009 to analyze a sample of nicotine cartridges from two manufacturers. The results showed that the amount of nicotine delivered did not always match the amount stated on the label. The study also revealed that some cartridges labeled nicotine-free in fact contained nicotine. And cancer-causing compounds found in tobacco were also found in some e-cigarette cartridges, along with other toxins. One of the toxins found was diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze. [source: FDA].

​

Despite these findings, electronic cigarette manufacturers claim that their products may have the potential to improve the health and lives of people addicted to nicotine. But many health experts say e-cigarette makers haven't conducted the research needed to back up their claims. The World Health Organization (WHO), for example, says there is not enough evidence to show that e-cigarettes are safe.

Health experts are also concerned about companies marketing e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products like the nicotine patch or gum have been tested for their safety and effectiveness as smoking cessation aids. E-cigarettes have not. Some experts have expressed concern that marketers' claims -- or positive word-of-mouth from e-cig users -- may convince people to use e-cigarettes to try to stop smoking, instead of a method that has been proven effective.

Another question is whether nonsmokers will be attracted by the novelty or the perceived safety of e-cigarettes and take up the habit, thus becoming addicted to nicotine. This is especially important where younger consumers are concerned -- the candy-like flavors may particularly appeal to children and adolescents. And because e-cigarettes are sold online, young people may have easy access -- most companies don't check or confirm the age of their Internet customers.

While e-cigarettes may help consumers avoid many of the health risks of smoking tobacco, they still give users a dose of an addictive substance. Regulatory authorities are struggling to classify electronic cigarettes and introduce the right controls. If e-cigarettes continue to gain popularity, they may become a common sight in restaurants, movie theaters, offices and other venues. Is that a good thing for the public? On the next page, we'll look at a few key issues that e-cigs raise about health, safety and personal freedom.

​
Regulatory Issues

One of the problems of regulating e-cigarettes is deciding how to classify them. Are they similar enough to tobacco cigarettes to be regulated in the same way? Or are they not cigarettes at all but drug-delivery devices like nicotine patches or gum? Because they don't fit easily into either category, e-cigarettes may require a new set of regulations.

​

Many people want to know if they can use electronic cigarettes in places that restrict tobacco smoking. Manufacturers and e-cigarette users argue that because the vapor presents no health risks and no offensive odor, e-cigarettes should be permitted everywhere.

​

E-cig opponents argue that allowing e-cigarette use everywhere may discourage people from cutting back or quitting smoking by making it easier and more socially acceptable to get a nicotine fix. Inconveniences like shivering outside in the cold to enjoy a smoke may actually contribute to some smokers' desires to quit. And until the vapor that e-cigarettes emit is proven safe, harmful effects from secondhand vapor can't be ruled out.

Individual countries and states have adopted a wide range of rules governing e-cigarettes. Australia, Canada and Hong Kong have banned e-cigarette marketing and sale. In the United Kingdom, e-cigarettes marketed as a smoking-cessation aid must be licensed and regulated as a medicine, but their use as a recreational smoking alternative is unrestricted. Brazil regulates e-cigarettes as tobacco products. In the United States, the FDA has confiscated e-cigarette shipments coming into the country on the grounds that they are unapproved drug-delivery devices. Two e-cigarette manufacturers took the FDA to court to oppose this action and won [source: U.S. District Court for District of Columbia].

​

Regulations will continue to evolve as electronic cigarettes grow in popularity and experts seek to gain reliable information about them. In the meantime, users around the world are relishing the experience of smoking cigarettes without the smoke.