Smoke Free Cigarettes

Many people, when hearing about the electronic cigarette for the first time, react with a combination of humor and disbelief. Yes, it’s hard to imagine die-hard smokers trading their tobacco cigarettes for a battery-operated alternative. Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening, day after day, as smokers discover how close today’s smoke-free cigarettes can replicate the experience of the real thing. Truth be told, the e-cigarette is far more than a novelty item; it has the potential to forever change the way people smoke.

So what, exactly, is an electronic cigarette? Well, the short answer is that it’s a battery-powered device that looks, feels, tastes, and closely mimics the experience of a traditional tobacco cigarette. If desired, it can even provide nicotine — without the harmful smoke, tar, and toxic chemicals found in real tobacco smoke.

The electronic cigarette is typically composed of three parts: the atomizer, the battery, and the nicotine/flavor cartridge. Newer (and better) models have now combined the atomizer and cartridge components in order to solve the problem of clogged, worn out, and poorly functioning atomizers, thereby providing a fresh atomizer with every new cartridge (they are replaced after usage that is approximately the equivalent of 20-30 regular cigarettes).

That may be enough info for some people. However, if you are interested in the inner workings of the e-cig, feel free to read on for a more in-depth explanation of each component.

• Atomizer. The atomizer heats up and vaporizes the e-cigarette liquid (comprised of water, flavoring, and nicotine if desired). Inhaling this vapor provides a sensation very similar to that of real cigarette smoke, but without all the health risks associated with tobacco smoke. The inhaled vapor also produces a cloud that has the appearance of cigarette smoke, but is actually a mist that dissipates in seconds and does not leave behind any lingering odor.
• Battery. This is a lightweight, rechargeable battery that’s shaped to mimic the appearance of a cigarette, and powers the atomizer. Like any rechargeable battery, these wear out and need to be replaced occasionally, when they begin to lose their ability to hold a charge.
• Flavor/Nicotine cartridge. Electronic cigarette cartridges contain a liquid mixture of water, flavoring, and — if desired — varying concentrations of nicotine. Each cartridge is designed to last the equivalent of a pack to a pack-and-a-half of regular cigarettes. Nicotine, if desired, can be specified in levels of high, medium, and low, with “none” also being an option. Most manufacturers also offer a selection of tobacco flavors, from traditional tobacco and menthol, to vanilla, chocolate, and even a variety of fruit flavors.

In summary, electronic cigarettes are quickly becoming an alternative to traditional tobacco smoking that is being embraced by more and more cigarette smokers. Since they do not produce real smoke, they are acceptable for use in most public places where smoking is prohibited. They also leave behind no lingering smell or odor in the air, on your clothes or hair, or in your car, so they is not offensive to non-smokers. Combine all these factors with the greatly reduced health risks compared to regular cigarettes, and it seems like we have a real winner!

One of the biggest selling points of electronic cigarettes is that they are a safer, healthier alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes. But really, when you think about it, what does this mean? Since we all know that cigarette smoking, with its 4,000 toxic chemicals and 40 known carcinogens, is an extremely risky activity, saying that electronic cigarettes are “safer” may be a bit like saying bungee-jumping is safer than playing baseball on the highway.

So, exactly how “safe” are smoke free cigarettes? Do they carry any known health risks? Let’s try to uncover some additional facts so that you can make an intelligent, informed decision about this newest smoking alternative.

The element of cigarette smoking that makes it the most unhealthy is the 4,000 toxic chemicals that you inhale into your lungs with every puff of a traditional tobacco cigarette. Lung cancer and the other respiratory diseases associated with smoking are caused by the actual tobacco smoke. When you “smoke” an electronic cigarette, none of these harmful chemicals are produced, because there is no actual smoke, only water vapor. Since there is no smoke, there is also no tar and no carbon monoxide — two other extremely unhealthy byproducts of cigarette smoking.

Ok, so what about nicotine? Unless you choose a nicotine-free cartridge (available with virtually any e-cigarette model), you are still absorbing moderate to significant amounts of this addictive substance — how dangerous is that? Well, at the moment the health risks of nicotine are not well known, and more research needs to be done. However, it seems obvious that a nicotine delivery method that doesn’t involve actual tobacco smoke is going to be substantially safer than one that does.

The FDA recently made headlines with the news that testing revealed trace amounts of a carcinogenic substance in one sample of electronic cigarette nicotine liquid. What most reports failed to mention is that:

• The chemical was found in trace amounts of only one instance among a number of samples submitted for testing
• This same chemical is routinely used in other nicotine delivery alternatives such as the patch and nicotine gum — both of which carry FDA approval
• Many other products that we consume every day — among them peanut butter, milk, and corn – also contain trace amounts of cancer-causing substances

So, it’s important to keep these types of reports in their proper perspective. It’s also meaningful to note that there is no evidence that these chemicals are actually present in the inhaled vapor of e-cigarettes.

In conclusion, it’s not currently possible to state that electronic cigarettes are 100% safe. However, when examined side-by-side with the safety of “real” smoking, there is really no comparison. It’s a proven fact that smoking traditional cigarettes is not only extremely dangerous, but also expensive and inconvenient. With electronic cigarettes, smokers have an alternative that appears to be much safer and healthier, and also offers the convenience of being acceptable in places where cigarette smoking is prohibited.

I think choosing between the two is pretty much a no-brainer.

Electronic cigarettes are definitely not complicated devices, but when you’re new at anything, it’s always good to get a bit of advice from someone who’s been there. With that in mind, here are a few tips for getting the most out of your experience with smokefree cigarettes, both in terms of time and money.

• Start with a low dose of nicotine. Electronic cigarettes are generally offered with several different levels of nicotine: high, medium, low, and none. People who are new to the electronic smoking experience tend to experiment a lot — trying out new flavors, and demonstrating for their friends — and therefore “inhale” much more than they will once the novelty wears off. To allow for this, start off with a lower level of nicotine than you think you need, and increase it later if you feel like you need it.
• Take long, slow puffs.Inhaling using a long, slow, steady breath will produce the highest volume of vapor. Using short, hard puffs will have a tendency to flood the atomizer, reducing vapor production and even sending the un-atomized liquid directly into your mouth.
• Purchase extra batteries and atomizers. Once you’ve settled on the make and model of electronic cigarette that you like best, stock up a bit on the “consumable” parts. Atomizers and batteries are two components of the e-cigarette that will need to be replaced occasionally, and since you can’t just run out and buy them locally, it makes sense to have a small supply on hand.
• Switch atomizers frequently. E-cigarette atomizers have a tendency to clog easily, greatly reducing the vapor volume. If your electronic cigarette has an atomizer as a separate unit (not built into each cartridge), you will want to switch atomizers each day, cleaning them between uses.
• Consider getting a car charger and a USB pass-through. These two devices will allow you to “smoke” without draining your battery while you are driving or working at your computer. Once again, however, make sure you are happy with your choice of make and model before you spend money on the extras.

These few simple tips will give you a head start on using your electronic cigarette efficiently and effectively as soon as possible. Congratulations on your choice of a healthy alternative to traditional cigarettes!

Of all the stop smoking aids that have been marketed throughout the years, the most intriguing, and possibly most effective, is the electronic cigarette (also known as the e-cigarette or smokeless cigarette). At first glance, this device appears to be a real cigarette in size, weight, and usage. However, since it does not contain tobacco, its operation does not expose the smoker to the over 4000 toxic chemicals and 60-70 known carcinogens found in traditional cigarettes.

Electronic Cigarettes as a Stop Smoking Aid

So, how do these “fake cigarettes” help people stop smoking? In several ways, actually. First of all, they contain a cartridge that, upon inhaling, generates the taste of a traditional tobacco cigarette. Different manufacturers offer a wide variety of flavors (tobacco, menthol, and even options like apple, strawberry, and chocolate, to name a few), and users should try out a few different brands and varieties to see which ones are the most pleasing to them personally.

If desired, smokeless cigarettes can also be used as nicotine delivery system. When choosing the cartridges to be used in your electric cigarette, you can specify a nicotine level of high, medium, low, or none. This makes the electronic cigarette a true “quit smoking cigarette,” since you can start at a higher nicotine level, and gradually reduce your nicotine intake, just like you can with other stop smoking aids such as the nicotine patch.

Next, the physical actions required in smoking electronic cigarettes are identical to those used to operate a regular cigarette, thus giving the smoker something to do with their hands. This is perhaps one of the most cited reasons for failure when attempting other quit smoking methods; nicotine gum or patches do nothing to replace the physical routines and habits involved in smoking addiction.

E-Cigarettes Allowed Where Smoking Is Banned

Finally, since they do not emit actual smoke, the use of electric cigarettes is allowed in places traditional cigarettes have been banned: restaurants and bars, theaters, workplaces, sporting venues, cruise ships, and more. You see, e-cigarettes expel a water vapor that looks and tastes like smoke, but it virtually odorless and dissipates into the air almost immediately. This is due to the electronic cigarette’s atomization chamber, that heats up the liquid contained in the cartridge and produces a vapor that gives the user the physical sensation of smoking, but without the harsh smoke and irritation of traditional tobacco.

Make Sure to Try Before You Buy

I’m sure you’ve noticed the multitude of brands and varieties of tobacco cigarettes on the market – there are literally hundreds to choose from, and each smoker has his or her own specific favorite. Now that smokeless cigarettes have evolved on the market, the situation is no different. Each brand and style of electric cigarette will be different from the next in ways such as taste, feel, usage, and convenience (carrying, charging, refills, etc.). That’s why many electronic cigarette manufacturers give you the opportunity to take advantage of a risk-free trial of their product before you commit to spending the $60-$100 or so that it takes to purchase a complete kit.

You see, the reputable e-cig manufacturers know that anyone who is considering the switch from traditional tobacco cigarettes to electronic smokefree cigarettes has one big question in mind:

Will I really like these fake cigarettes as much as the tobacco I’ve been smoking for years?

So, in order to put your mind at ease, many smokefree cigarette companies will give you the opportunity to return your initial purchase within 30 days for a full refund. That way, you will feel comfortable about the initial investment required to get started using electronic cigarettes. You can also take advantage of this offer to try several different brands to see which one you like best!

If you are not completely happy, just follow the enclosed instructions to contact the company and receive your refund – no questions asked.

So stick with those New Year’s resolutions and make 2010 the year you you quit smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes for good!

You may be interested in this message from Matt Salmon, President of the Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA):

The Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA) is an association of private sector companies engaged in electronic cigarette technologies. Member companies are involved in all sectors of the creation and promotion of electronic cigarettes. The ECA’s mission is to provide the tools and information necessary for policy-makers, opinion leaders, media, and private sector companies worldwide to make informed decisions about the management and use of electronic cigarette technologies, particularly the most recent advances and applications. The association was founded to institute and promote industry-wide standards and a code of conduct, work to maintain sound professional practices, educate the public and policy-makers on the industrys activities and potential, and ensure the ethical use of electronic cigarette technologies.

Health Benefits

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the absence of tar and a few thousand other ingredients — including the 60-70 known carcinogens and other poisons found in cigarette tobacco – make electronic cigarettes a true blessing. But the benefits don’t stop there. E-cigarettes contain no tobacco, give off no smoke, and there is no combustion involved in their operation. Smoke free cigarettes have about 20 ingredients… virtually all of which are also used in food, health, and beauty products. And if you choose a model that delivers nicotine, e-cigarettes provide the same amount of TSNAs (tobacco-specific nitrosamines) as in FDA-approved Nicotine Replacement Therapy products (like Nicorette gum or Nicoderm patches).

Toxic tobacco smoke contains many other additional chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide. Tar is a sticky substance that forms in the lungs, causing lung cancer and respiratory diseases. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the world and is responsible for more than 5 million deaths each year.

Carbon monoxide limits the amount of oxygen carried by the red blood cells throughout your body, causing smokers to become easily winded when exercising or performing strenuous tasks (including sex!).

Cheaper than Regular Cigarettes

Let’s face it, buying tobacco products is expensive. In most areas of the United States, the cost of cigarettes is at least 2-3 times higher than the amount you will spend on electronic cigarettes. And since there is no hot ash to burn clothing or furniture, you will never again need to replace your favorite shirt or chair due to cigarette burns. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a forest fire or house fire blamed on the electronic cigarette!

In Summary

If you switch from traditional tobacco cigarettes to the electronic cigarette, you will never again deal with any of the following problems commonly experienced by smokers:

• Standing outside to smoke
• Lost productivity from needing to move to a designated smoking area
• Cigarette butts
• Tar
• Carbon monoxide
• Ashtrays
• Offensive smoke
• Creation of second-hand smoke
• Smoker’s breath
• Smoke-stained teeth

Start taking advantage of all of these benefits. Give electronic cigarettes a try today!

The Electronic Cigarette is a futuristic scientific advance that looks, feels, and tastes like a traditional tobacco cigarette. In addition, they require exactly the same physical actions to operate as a regular cigarette, making them an ideal replacement for smokers who are trying to cut down, or find themselves in an environment where the use of traditional cigarettes is prohibited.

Electronic cigarettes expel a water vapor that looks like smoke and is virtually oderless. Let’s take a look inside an e-cigarette and discover the secrets to what makes these devices better than traditional smoking.

E-Cigarettes function courtesy of modern microelectronic technology. The body of a smokeless cigarette is an integrated structure make up of a cartridge, an atomization chamber, a smart chip controller, and a lithium battery. The front of the device contains an operating mode indicator that lights up when you use it and simulates the burn of a tobacco cigarette.

The most ingriguing part of the e-cigarette is the atomization chamber. The atomizer is responsible for creating the smoke-like vapor, making it appear much like a real cigarette. The vapor occurs as a result of heating up the liquid inside the cartridge. The atomizer produces the vapor that, when inhaled, gives the user the physical sensation (and nicotine, if desired) that smokers crave. The end result is the full effect of smoking real tobacco, but without the harsh tobacco smoke and irritation.

Electronic cigarettes are quickly becoming the best alternative to smoking. Try them today!