Electronic addiction: Facts about e-cigarettes
The electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is
touted as the healthier alternative to cigarettes by its
manufacturers. However, WHO has never officially endorsed
e-cigarettes!
E-cigarettes are devices made to resemble real
cigarettes.
An e-cigarette consists of a mouthpiece , a
heating element, a rechargeable battery and is activated with a
cartridge which contains a liquid chemical mixture. The liquid
chemical mixture is composed of nicotine (a highly addictive
substance found in cigarettes), propylene glycol (a known irritant
when inhaled or ingested) and may also contain many other harmful
chemicals found in conventional cigarettes. An e-cigarette also has
a LED light at the end of the device which lights up to simulate
the process of combustion when the smoker inhales.
As the user inhales through the e-cigarette, a
heating element powered by a rechargeable battery is activated and
vaporises the liquid chemical mixture, generating a fine heated
mist.
The fine mist generated contains nicotine that
is inhaled and absorbed into the user s lungs.
Some marketers of e-cigarettes have claimed that
their product is an effective nicotine replacement therapy and a
smoking cessation aid endorsed by the World Health Organizations
(WHO).However, WHO had issued a press statement in September 2008
stating that it does not support e-cigarettes as a legitimate
therapy to help smokers quit as there is a lack of conclusive
scientific evidence to substantiate the efficacy, safety and
quality of e-cigarettes. WHO also called on marketers of
e-cigarettes to immediately stop the unproved claims on
e-cigarettes.
Electronic cigarettes have so far been proven to
be neither safe nor effective in helping smokers quit. More
research still needs to be done to establish the usefulness of
e-cigarettes to help people quit smoking.
Although e-cigarettes do not contain some of the
harmful substances found in normal cigarettes, this does not mean
that they are entirely harmless. The nicotine present still poses a
health risk to users.
Users may still develop a dependence or
addiction to nicotine by inhaling the fine nicotine mist produced
by e-cigarettes.
Imitation tobacco products such as electronic
cigarettes are prohibited by law. For more information on imitation
products, please click here.