Are E Cigs a Healthy Alternative?

The dangers of smoking cigarettes are well known, with public service advertisements bombarding television screens on a daily basis, with images of decrepit individuals and scarred lungs as a result of smoking. There is no arguing with the facts: cigarette smoking is hazardous to the health of you and those around you. As a newcomer on the smoking scene, e cigs, are becoming more popular, health experts are weighing in with their opinion on them.

Harm Reduction
Experts in harm reduction compare cigarette smoking with driving. We all are well aware of the dangers of driving- simply driving a few blocks down the street could result in serious injury or even death. Yet, instead of telling people to quit driving altogether, public officials offer methods of making it safer, encouraging safer automobile design and improving roads. Unfortunately, this has not been the case with traditional smoking.

Harm reduction experts recommend a similar approach to smoking. Rather than telling smokers that they must quit or face the dire consequences, perhaps they should instead offer safer alternatives. Electronic cigarettes are just this alternative. With no possibility of accidentally burning a house down when left lit, this is just one of the many health benefits of this product over traditional smoking products.

Health Benefits
While e cigs most certainly could not be considered a device designed to improve health, they are a significant improvement upon the old standard. With no dangerous second-hand smoke, innocent bystanders are left only with a faint smell of the flavor cartridge or even no noticeable scent at all. This product only contains a limited amount of different ingredients, in stark contrast to traditional cigarettes, which not only contain recognized toxins but also chemicals that have yet to be identified.

In addition, e cigs have the potential to actually help smokers end their addiction to nicotine. Smokers have the ability to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine they consume by simply stepping down to a cartridge containing less nicotine. Eventually, smokers can work their way down to nicotine- free cartridges, which still maintain the same enjoyable flavor without the addictive nicotine added

Research
Unfortunately, there has not been a vast amount of research done yet on e cigs. A recent online survey found that users of electronic cigarettes report a decrease in symptoms associated with smoking, such as cough, limited sense of smell, and inability to exercise for long periods of time. However, this study does not actually indicate whether or not this is just an issue or perception or an actual decrease in health problems

A study at the University of East London reports that electronic cigarettes can be an effective method of smoking cessation, but this ability does not appear to be reliant on the amount of nicotine delivered. Rather, it is supposed that other factors are coming into play, such as the taste, vapor, and ability to simulate smoking without actually doing so that is responsible.

Though no one would venture to state that e-cigs are healthy, they are clearly a much healthier alternative to traditional nicotine cigarettes. With a variety of different options to choose from, there is likely an e cig to fit every smoker’s needs.

2 comments:

  1. Nice post written about electronic cigarettes, large number of people are going for electronic cigarettes because they all are aware of bad effects of traditional cigarettes.

    Best Regards
    Electronic cigarette refill

    ReplyDelete
  2. Electronic cigarettes are just this alternative. With no possibility of accidentally burning a house down when left lit, this is just one of the many health benefits of this product over traditional smoking products. ecigs

    ReplyDelete