E-Cigarettes: Electronic Nicotine Delivery

Electronic cigarettes have been around for about a decade. No one is sure of what havoc they can cause yet because of how new they are in existence. Throughout the past years more and more issues have been arising from this product that was originally assumed to be harmless. Now we are faced with the question are they really as safe as we thought or should increase investigation to see what they are really capable of. So far researchers have discovered many issues with the electronic cigarettes and every month more and more issues begin the surface the air. From explosion to toxic material. These issues will not only affect their

The e-cigarette format, however, does not eliminate concerns regarding public and individual health risks. The World Health Organization has called for e-cigarette usage to be monitored in the same way as more conventional tobacco products,(23) the US FDA is advocating for more research,(24) and there has been a dramatic increase in analyses of the chemical, physiological, psychological and socio-cultural aspects of e-cigarettes.(2-7,9-12,14-21,24-52)

The popularity of e-cigarettes and vapes has grown exponentially within the last couple of years. These two alternatives offer a “safe” way to consume nicotine or just a substitute to regular cigarette smoking. These products omit water vapor instead of tobacco smoke, constructing it as less of a health risk. Nicotine can be added to the mixture to help quit smoking or offer a healthier option to those with nicotine dependence. There has not been widespread research on conventional e-cigarettes, in addition to data on vapes been relatively premature. These smoking devices have not be regulated by the FDA yet, but the FDA has looked into e-cigarettes and its contents (FDA, 2015). Many e-cigarettes that are thought to be free of nicotine, have

“ The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror – not the glamour and sophistication the pushers in the tobacco industry try to portray ”. – David Byrne. Smoking has been an habit in teenagers and adults for a very long time and it is well known that it is harmful for them as well for the environment. Technology has advanced, and now there are electronic cigarettes, called E-cigarette, which are devices with battery that carry nicotine heated aersosol in a fashion that imitates common cigarettes, while carrying lower levels of toxins than a conventional lit cigarette. They can be used indoors, which allows smokers to get their fix wherever and whenever they want. A study from NBC News (Leshae) shows that electronic cigarettes are a technique for smokers to try quitting their addictions. Manufacturers consider that e-cigarattes are healthier than normal tobacco cigarattes, since smokers are inhaling vaporized nicotine rather of carcinogen-filled smoke. However, according to a Thomas Jefferson University Alumni article, some reseachers have found harmful ingredients in certain e-cigarettes, such as ethylene glycol poisoning, a primary ingredient in brake fluid and antifreeze. E-cigarettes mey seem like a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, nevertheless there is some research that proves the contrary and we still don’t know its long term effect.

The plans of the e-cigarette go back to the 60s, and the devices idea was originally created by Herbert Gilbart in 1963. 20 years later the cigarette “smoke free” cigarette was created by Dr. Norman. Around 15 years later the e-cigarette as we know today was created by a chemist named Hon in China (N). In just 3 years electronic cigarettes began to increase in use and popularity. Overall, there are an estimated 600 different ingredients in an average e-cigarette. In the popular “Juul” e-cigarette the ingredients are, glycerol, propane glycerol, natural oils, extracts and flavor, nicotine, and benzoic acid (“What Is in a JUULpod Juice?”). The e-cigarette does not contain tobacco, but within all of these ingredients there, is one major one nicotine (“Rise in E-Cigarette use”). Most e-cigarettes do contain nicotine, which it can lead to poisoning(“Rise in E-Cigarette use”) In 2013, it was shown that the largest sale of the electronic cigarette was in local convenience

Every year, an estimated 443, 000 Americans die of smoking related illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also states “the leading cause of preventable death” is smoking. ("Smoking & Tobacco Use-Fast Facts”). Relatively new to the market are electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes. “Vaping”, as it is known by users, has become increasingly more attractive as an alternative to traditional, cancer causing, cigarettes. Although sales of e-cigarettes are estimated to reach $2 billion dollars (Dennis, Brady) this year, many Americans still have reservations about the safety of a new nicotine delivery system.

In 2003 E-cigarettes were invented by Lik Hon in China and in just three short years they exploded worldwide (Hajek et al. 1). This topic is important because E-Cigarettes are sweeping the globe by providing millions of users a vapor, nicotine delivering device. Not only are they bringing in a new subculture called “vaping”, but also many questions on how they should be regulated (Gardiner 1). The users of E-cigarettes are widespread and can not be pinpointed to just one age, race, or even country, the users are everywhere. According to Etter and Bullen some users use e-cigarettes to help them quit traditional cigarettes and others use them to complement their tobacco use. However the greatest rise of e-cigarette use has come from adolescence, majority being teenagers who are not tobacco users (Etter and Bullen).

On the contrary to the general concept and motif behind the production of e-cigarettes, several studies have proven that these electronic devices that were created as an unassailable and riskless alternative to derail and overcome one’s cigarette addiction and dependency, happen to be equally as harmful and destructive as the nicotine infused drug. Maria Mironidou Tzouveleki, Evanthia Tzitzi, and Panagiotis Tzitzis stated “The vapour of e-cig contains toxic and dangerous substances as the smoke of conventional cigarette but in different quantities.” (Mironidou Tzouveleki, Tzitzi, 2015, p. 235.) Ever since e-cigarettes made their debut in the market back in 2003, researches had their doubts and implications about this particular substitutive

According to the Center for Disease Control, 480,000 Americans die every year from deaths related to cigarette smoking. This costs the public over $300 billion. Have you ever wondered about alternatives to this habit? Have you ever wondered “what exactly is an e-cigarette?” Where did they originate? Does it pose a threat to health? Yes, we know that it is an alternative to cigarette smoking, but what is the big rave about this small device that has the center of attention for smokers? Today we will expand on the history and the science of e-cigarettes, and understand if there are any health factors to consider. We will also look into the legal considerations for e-cigarettes.

According to Fairchild et al. (2004), even though the concept of “safer” cigarettes received support from federal and voluntary institutions in the 1980s, there have been contrasting ideas about this topic especially between physicians and public health professionals today. The advent of electronic cigarettes has therefore elicited varied reactions among major players both in the health sector and cigarette manufacturing industry. Electronic cigarettes are basically battery-operated devices that simulate traditional tobacco cigarettes and are designed in such a way that they transmit a nicotine vapor that is usually inhaled (Novack para 2).

Cigarette has been a topic of debate ever since its existence. Whether it’s the health issues of cigarettes or the negative impact of cigarette advertisement, it has been in our culture for the longest time. Recently, a divergent of cigarette called E-Cig had entered the market and have seen some unexpected success. In 2014, studies showed that electronic cigarette revenue has topped more than 500 million US dollar. With this huge industry appearing out of seemingly nowhere, many people has begun to question its health and safety effects on us, specifically is E-cig better than normal cigarette?

The Rise of E-Cigarettes: Harmful or Harm-Reducing?. (2015). RT: The Journal for Respiratory Care Practitioners, 28(6), 16-19 4p.

Did you know that 1.8 million middle and high-school students have said that they have tried an electronic cigarette in 2012? An article from Upfront Magazine titled “Smoke Signals” by Alessandra Potenza has brought up the issue of e-cigs. The electronic cigarette may be seen as a safe alternative for the traditional smoker but poses a threat to the younger generations who try them. Heavy advertisement and a wide variety of flavors are attracting young kids to get the product. The e-cigs could potentially lead the young people into trying real cigarettes and getting addicted to them due to the nicotine and having the urge to smoke.

Electronic cigarettes, e-pipes and e-cigars are collectively referred to as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). They allow users to inhale vapor containing nicotine and other substances (Unknown, 2016). Unlike nicotine patches and gums used in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), e-cigarettes are designed to mimic the act of tobacco smoking by producing a pleasant flavored vapour that is similar to tobacco smoke and delivers nicotine. In comparison to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are

In 2003, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) were first manufactured in China. These products were later debuted in the U.S. market in 2006 as novel tobacco products and have been gaining popularity since (1,2,3). ENDS, such as e-cigarettes, are battery powered devices that heat a solution typically containing nicotine in order to create a vapor without the combustion of tobacco. This liquid is inhaled into the lungs and then exhaled similar to traditional cigarettes. The solution, also known as e-liquid, can contain various levels of nicotine (including no nicotine) and is available in various flavors (2,3,4).