What is an electronic cigarette? How does it work?

• To help you understand the basics, an electronic cigarette depends on 3 core components to work; battery, nicotine filled cartridge and atomizer. The atomizer acts as a heater when the cigarette is turned on. When someone tries to inhale through the ecig, the atomizer warms up and causes the nicotine cartridge to produce vapor. The vapor then can be inhaled by the smoker, giving a realistic experience of an actual cigarette minus the harmful smoke. The vapor produced from the electronic cigarette is nothing more than water vapor, which means you can smoke indoors without the worry of odour or the dangers of passive smoking.

Can Nicotine Cause Cancer?

• Contrary to popular belief, no, nicotine does not cause cancer. An ongoing research has proved that nicotine has many advantages and disadvantages, but it does not cause cancer. There are several other research papers available over the internet that can guide you through the causes caused by consuming nicotine. A regular cigarette however does cause cancer but this is not due to nicotine, it is mainly due to tar content that is created and consumed after the combustion of tobacco, which also releases several other harmful substances into the body.

Why should I switch over to electronic cigarettes?

Even though manufacturers of these devices are not allowed to advertise in some countries, the electronic cigarette is actually less harmful than the typical tobacco filled cigarette. Here are some of the main benefits of using an electronic cigarette over a typical tobacco filled cigarette:

• Does not contain tobacco or tar, but offers nicotine which is the main reason for smoking a cigarette.
• Because it does not produce harmful smoke, the water vapor from the cigarette dissipates as soon as you exhale. This allows you to enjoy intake of nicotine in places where smoking is forbidden.
• Electronic Cigarettes are free of all the harmful substances like carcinogenic substances, tar and combustion gases, meaning you get to enjoy the same effect with no harmful side effects.
• If compared to a typical tobacco filled cigarette, an electronic cigarette offers more value for money.

How is the experience of a nicotine filled cartridge compared to actual tobacco filled cigarettes?

• The nicotine filled cartridges of an electronic cigarette come in several different flavours but all of them have the same technology and ingredients behind to give you a near realistic simulated experience. Nicotine cartridges are made with propylene glycol, water, nicotine and a hint of tobacco sent that emulates the feeling and flavour of tobacco. These ingredients are also subject to discharge through a membrane on the cigarette when you start using one.

• According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the ingredient propylene glycol is deemed safe to use in edible products. The FDA has put forward a list that allows the use of the ingredient in food, medicine and certain cosmetics. However, it is important to know that electronic cigarettes are not on the list as of yet.

What is released when I exhale the vapor from an electronic cigarette?

• As mentioned earlier, Electronic Cigarettes have ingredients that are optimal for giving a near realistic experience of an actual tobacco filled smoke. But instead of inhaling pure smoke which is a result of several harmful substances from combustion of tobacco, you simply inhale and exhale a vapor. The vapor contains all the ingredients from the nicotine cartridge to give you a simulated smoking experience.

• When you exhale the vapor it immediately evaporates in the air leaving no smoke or odour in the atmosphere. A vapor is virtually non-harmful to you because it only contains the ingredients that are inside the nicotine cartridge. As for typical cigarettes, many harmful substances enter our body when the tobacco is burned.

What is Propylene Glycol?

• Propylene Glycol is the most important ingredient inside an electronic cigarette cartridge. It is used in most cosmetics, food and medicines to give them colouring or flavouring. The ingredient is also added to products to give them moisture. In electronic cigarettes, the ingredient is added to make the vapor look and feel like smoke, while also keeping the contents of the nicotine cartridge safe from losing flavor or drying out.

• The US Food and Drug Administration deem the ingredient safe for use in food, medicine and cosmetics. However the list offered by the FDA does not include the use of the ingredient inside an electronic cigarette as ‘safe’ yet.

How much nicotine content is available in a cartridge?

Depending on the brand of electronic cigarette you buy, each one comes with a different quantity and quality. Refer to your manufacturer for complete details on the nicotine content available on a particular cartridge. On average nicotine cartridges have 0-18 mg of nicotine, but some are designed to offer you even more. Here is how you can find out what nicotine cartridge suits your needs:

• High capacity: These cartridges have 18mg or 24mg of nicotine which is the same amount as a regular cigarette.
• Medium capacity: These cartridges have 12mg of nicotine content and are best compared to light cigarettes of any brand.
• Low capacity: These cartridges have 6mg of nicotine content and are best compared to ultra light cigarettes of any brand.
• Zero capacity: These cartridges have 0mg of nicotine content and are usually designed to give you a simulated experience of smoking without nicotine.

What is nicotine?

• Nicotine is best described as an alkaloid. It is widely present in certain plants but tobacco is the main source of the substance. Nicotine is also available in vegetables like green peppers, potatoes, and cauliflower and egg plants. Some nicotine is also found in certain teas. When consumed through a cigarette, nicotine gives the effects of calmness, alertness and relaxation. These effects can last from minutes to hours depending on the quantity consumed. Nicotine is dimmed highly addictive and can easily cause addiction when consumed especially through a cigarette.

Can electronic cigarettes cause nicotine poisoning?

• Nicotine poisoning is common with nicotine patches and gums, but with an electronic cigarette, nicotine poisoning is not possible. The nicotine content on a cartridge is not as strong as a regular cigarette hence poses no threat of an overdose.

Back to top