Electronic cigarettes have been generally available since the early part of the 21st century although their linage can be traced back to the mid 1960s. They are not a complicated device; they consist of a lithium battery which is rechargeable and a heating element which vaporizes the E cig juice which is then inhaled by the smoker. E cig juice contains liquid nicotine and various flavors, the nicotine content varies, it is even possible to purchase the juice nicotine free. The whole idea is to simulate the act of smoking without any smoke, smell or ashes.
Some of the flavors are really quite exotic; bubble gum, watermelon, mocha are only three of the hundreds available. The cigarettes themselves are made to appear like a real cigarette with a white barrel and a cork filter, others are colorful and they are all available in various lengths. The devices are growing rapidly, recent surveys seem to suggest that around 20 percent of smokers have tried them and 10 percent use them regularly. The forecasted sales for 2013 are close to one billion units.
There are a number of things that E cigs have going for them, one is the cost. Although the first starter kit may cost anywhere up to $100, the annual cost for the E cig juice will only be about $600 if the smoker is a pack-a-day person. This is a significant savings and there are also the health issues. E cigarettes do not contain the carbon monoxide, tar and other harmful chemicals that are in tobacco. As nicotine free juice is available, they can be considered quite safe when compared to the known harmful effects of tobacco smoking.
There has been some talk about regulating the devices but so far about the only thing that has happened in the industry is for the US FDA to send letters to the various manufacturers telling them that they must cease making claims that have yet to be substantiated.
Because the devices are quite new there is still little evidence one way or the other to claim that E cigs are harmful to the health of the user. A few studies have been undertaken and the initial results point to the fact that that the level of toxins is far lower than those from tobacco.
