Just another WordPress site

The Electronic Cigarette is a relatively recent invention (dating back to 2003) that is essentially a battery operated nicotine dispenser, intended for use as an alternative to cigarettes. The device is made up of a few components, including a heater, a battery, and a cartridge containing a solution of propylene glycol and nicotine. Due to the method of administration, the user gets the same “rush” as he or she would get from a normal cigarette, yet without the toxic chemical byproducts from true tobacco, such as carbon monoxide and tar, as well as physical side-effects such as yellowing teeth and bad breath.

Although the Electronic Cigarette is advertised as a safe alternative, not much is known about the results from their long term use. They are completely unapproved by the government, and virtually unstudied in terms of their chemical composition. Despite these unknown aspects, there are thousands of people who have turned to the “E-Cig”, as they are commonly called, looking to help kick their cigarette habits. Unfortunately, as they still contain nicotine, a person who turns to them in order to stop smoking may end up with a stronger nicotine habit than they had before, and because they produce no real smoke, they can be used virtually anywhere, like at an airport, in a restaurant, and even at work.

In a few studies, the cartridges used in Electronic Cigarettes have been found to contain a number of slightly dangerous ingredients, albeit less so at the present quantities, yet notable nonetheless. One such group of chemicals are nitrosamines, a common chemical found in real tobacco smoke. Nitrosamines are known carcinogens, although a normal user would not be exposed to this chemical unless a faulty cartridge is used.

Another argument used by the government, as well as those fighting the sales of Electronic Cigarettes, is that they are sold in various flavors, including mint, orange chocolate, strawberry, and even caramel. Opponents argue that these flavors may not only promote non-smokers into picking up the habit, but may even appeal to children as well, enticing younger people who see the colorful packaging and appetizing flavors as a reason to start smoking them.

A small handfull users have reported more serious medical effects such as rapid heartbeat, and even heart palpitations. While seemingly severe, these side effects are likely the result of a slight nicotine overdose, brought on by using a cartridge with more nicotine than the body is used to. This can be easily avoided, however, by purchasing cartridges with a lower potency, and slowly raising it to a comfortable level.

Despite these complaints, there are quite a few good aspects to the situation as well. Many proponents argue that the few questionable chemicals included in Electronic Cigarettes are in no way worse than what a tobacco smoker already inhales on a daily basis, and that any alternative, even a slightly unhealthy one, is still much healthier than the real thing. In addition, while the Electronic Cigarette user may be inhaling a few unhealthy ingredients, the people around him or her are not experiencing any negative side-effects, as opposed to the constant worry of secondhand smoke when it comes to real tobacco.

All in all, it is completely up to the user to decide what is best for themselves; does the ability to ingest nicotine in a seemingly safer way make up for the unknown ingredients, or is tobacco smoke the lesser of two evils due to the fact that its ingredients are well-known? The answer is up to the smoker to decide.

No two people experience the same symptoms when quitting tobacco and changing to e-cigarettes. This is no surprise given the wide variety of body types and smoking habits involved. Nevertheless, below are common symptoms that can offer insight to what you can expect as you make the transition.

It is important to remember that your body is undergoing a change. Usually, symptoms that result from the switch to e-cigarettes are a response to that change and go away eventually, if not within a week or so. Remember, you are on your way to a cleaner, fresher you. Be patient with the shifts in your body as it adjusts.

1) Headache, nausea, and shaking–When using e-cigarettes to quit tobacco, you are facing a change in your nicotine consumption. Whether you plan to kick nicotine or just quit the smoke, the change to electronic cigarettes will likely result in a fluctuation of your nicotine dose. The nicotine ratings on traditional cigarettes and electronic versions vary, and nicotine absorption of vaping differs somewhat from that of smoking.

Headaches, nausea, irritability, inability to concentrate, sleep changes, and so on are all common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. These will likely pass in a few days or a week. If they are severe, you can temporarily use a higher nicotine refill cartridge.

2) Coughing with sputum and phlegm–Probably the single most common symptom of giving up cigarettes, coughing is part of the transition to cleaner conditions. The coughing will pass with time, but its duration will depend upon how heavy your smoking habit was.

Now that your lungs have a breather, they will, well, breathe, and in doing so, shed the tars, chemical additives, and ash that have been coating them with every traditional cigarette you smoked. For e-cigarette users, this begins within a week of starting and can last up to a month, but it usually passes by this time.

3) Sore or Dry Throat–Vaping is different from smoking. The vapor of an e-cigarette contains a hygroscopic, usually PG, which draws moisture to itself. When breathed in, the PG coats the throat and continues to draw moisture from the tissues. Hence, your throat feels dry and possibly sore. Drink plenty of water during the day and before going to sleep. You can also humidify your home.

4) Acne–All people who quit smoking experience small breakouts of Quit Zits. This acne is thought to result from the body releasing toxins, and it may afflict those who didn’t experience acne at a young age. It is common for e-smokers to experience and will soon pass.

5) Mouth Ulcers–These mouth lesions, often referred to as Quit Ulcers, are prevalent in quitters. Nicotine is an irritant, and mouth tissues may more readily absorb it in vapor form. Rinsing your mouth with water can help control the irritation and allow ulcers to heal.

6) Muscle Aches–Some e-cig users experience muscle aches and cramps. The reason for this is unclear, but it is a common complaint adding to the irritation of the change in habits.

7) Night Sweats–Waking up drenched in sweat is no fun, and this symptom isn’t commonly associated with tobacco withdrawal. However, some e-cig users report night sweats. For some, substitution of VG for PG solves the problem. This may suggest an intolerance or reaction to PG though studies have not been done to confirm this. In some cases night sweats disappear without the change to VG or a do-it-yourself liquid.

8) Diarrhea–This symptom, while unmistakable, is not a common symptom of nicotine withdrawal. Some e-cigarette users report problems, and many find diarrhea to cease if they switch to VG, suggesting a reaction to PG. Once again, tests have not been done to determine how common human intolerance of PG may be.

9) Hiccups–These annoying symptoms seem to result from the ingestion of nicotine in the stomach. Hiccups are common for users of chewing tobacco and snuff when tobacco juice find its way into their stomachs.

The same may be true for e-cigarette users if they hold the smoke in their mouths for a moment before drawing it into their lungs. That brief rest period in the mouth may result in nicotine being drawn into the saliva and then finding its way to the stomach. If hiccups are recurrent, avoid allowing the vapor to sit in your mouth to minimize contact with the saliva.

10) Heartburn–This general symptom is annoying if it continues. Acid reflux is often associated with quitting smoking, but it can also be associated with nicotine overdose. Because acid reflux is damaging to the esophagus, consult your doctor if the condition lasts. For most e-cig users, it passes fairly quickly as part of the adjustment process.

The propylene glycol used in an electronic cigarette is not the same as the propylene glycol used in antifreeze. The chemical found in electronic cigarettes is “pharmaceutical grade” propylene glycol, and the chemical found in antifreezes is an “industrial grade” propylene glycol. Both grades are the same chemical but have differing amounts of impurities.

The manufacture of pharmaceutical grade materials follows stringent protocols and takes place in sterile production environments. Workers wear appropriate production attire to prevent biological contaminations. Containers and equipment dedicated to pharmaceutical grade production prevent cross contamination from dangerous residues. Monitored protocols govern the cleaning of all equipment, and all products undergo rigorous quality control testing. Pharmaceutical grade products have extremely high purity requirements and cannot contain dangerous contaminants. All of these safeguards apply to the production of propylene glycol for electronic cigarette use.

Pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol gives moisturizing properties to medicines, creams and lotions. It dissolves medications for inhalation, injection or ingestion. It is the base for medical inhalers and nebulizers with a 50-year history of safe use. An electronic cigarette uses pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol because the user inhales the vapor.

“Food grade” propylene glycol is also available. Food grade chemicals are purer than industrial grades but less pure than pharmaceutical grades. Manufacturing standards fall between those two classifications but are closer to the pharmaceutical production requirements than to the industrial grade requirements. Products that are ingested or contact human skin require food grade chemicals. Food grade propylene glycol is used as a moisture stabilizer in food additives, as an emulsifier to facilitate the mixing of oils and water-based foods, as a solvent for food colorings, and as a solvent for both artificial and natural flavorings. It is the primary ingredient in many hand sanitizers and moisturizing lotions and is the carrier for many fragrances.

Pharmaceutical and food grade safeguards do not apply to the production of industrial grade propylene glycol. Industrial grade materials are not for human consumption, inhalation or contact. The production protocols are far more lax, and industrial chemicals typically cost less to manufacture than either pharmaceutical or food grade materials. End users tolerate lower purity percentages and toxic impurities in exchange for lower final cost. Industrial grade propylene glycol may contain impurity concentrations of ten percent or higher; the commercial end user determines the acceptable standard of purity and allowable contaminant compositions.

The most common use for industrial grade propylene glycol is as antifreeze. It is the liquid inside the jackets of beer and wine fermentation tanks. It is the antifreeze of choice for situations where the antifreeze will eventually empty onto the soil, into surface waters or into a wastewater treatment system. It also occurs as an ingredient in paintballs, as a lubricant in air compressors, as an industrial solvent, as an aircraft deicer, and as a hydraulic fluid. In all of these cases the propylene glycol itself is harmless but likely contains harmful impurities because it is industrial grade.

Ethylene glycol is a closely related chemical. Propylene glycol contains a three-carbon hydrocarbon group. Ethylene glycol is a slightly smaller molecule and contains a two-carbon hydrocarbon group. That slight difference results in a great toxicity difference. While propylene glycol is a harmless chemical, ethylene glycol is extremely toxic. Ethylene glycol was once widely used as antifreeze. Propylene glycol is now predominant because of toxicity considerations, but ethylene glycol antifreeze still exists.

Electronic cigarettes have always used propylene glycol. Different manufacturers use different proprietary formulas, but all formulations use either food grade or pharmaceutical grade chemicals. The propylene glycol in these formulations is safe for inhalation, consumption and dermal contact.

The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes (E-cigs) has become a concern to health professionals and government regulators, because so little research has been done to assess how safe and effective these devices are. E-cigs are currently exempt from FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) regulation, although this organisation is actively fighting to gain jurisdiction over these devices (Yamin et al., 2010).

E-cigs operate by electronically vaporising a solution containing nicotine, which is then inhaled by the user. Touted as safer than cigarettes, since most of the carcinogens are eliminated from the smoking experience, E-cigs are being primarily advertised as a safe, smoking cessation device. Determining whether these claims are true will require a few more years of research (Yamin et al., 2010) and until then the World Health Organisation has proposed banning E-cig manufacturers from making such claims (Zapobiegawczej et al., 2010). The risk of nicotine poisoning with E-cig use has also not been studied, but the following discussion suggests the risk is relatively low.

Nicotine Delivery Device Safety

The amount of nicotine delivered while smoking a single tobacco cigarette is around 1 mg (reviewed by Solarino et al., 2010). By comparison, between 10 and 50 mg of nicotine can be absorbed by smoking a tobacco cigar. Transdermal patches deliver between 7 and 21 mg of nicotine, but this occurs gradually over a 24 hour period. Symptoms of nicotine toxicity begins somewhere between 2-5 mg of absorbed nicotine, depending on how accommodated an individual has become to nicotine use. The lethal dose for most people is between 30 and 60 mg.

The symptoms of nicotine poisoning include the following (Horan, 1977):

• Nausea – rapid onset
• Salivation – rapid onset
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Severe diarrhoea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Disturbed hearing and vision
• Mental confusion
• Muscle weakness
• Hypertension
• Slow and then rapid heart rate
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Loss of consciousness
• And rarely, death

A small number of independent studies investigating the nicotine delivery efficiency of E-cigs have been performed. Without exception, the consensus is that the nicotine dose actually delivered is far below what’s promised (reviewed by Vansickel et al., 2010). For example, Vansickel et al., (2010) compared serum nicotine levels between individuals smoking regular cigarettes and two brands of E-cigs. Within five minutes of smoking a tobacco cigarette, serum nicotine levels peaked at around 18-19 ng/mL. By comparison, the nicotine serum levels of E-cig smokers were below detection limits. These results indicate that E-cigs do not deliver an equivalent nicotine dose. On the other hand, the risk of nicotine poisoning is much lower than with regular cigarettes.

Swallowing tobacco induces vomiting because of the nicotine toxicity. This limits the dosage that can be absorbed when exposed in that manner. Although the risk of nicotine toxicity is relatively low when using E-cigs as recommended, the nicotine solution contained in the cartridges presents a safety concern that tobacco leaf doesn’t. For example, should the solution contained in the cartridge be swallowed, or spilled on the skin, the risk of nicotine poisoning could be much greater than that posed by tobacco products (Cobb et al., 2010). This risk is moderated somewhat by independent research findings that revealed nicotine concentrations in cartridges from several E-cig manufacturers were less than half of the advertised concentration.

Until E-cig manufacturers achieve the advertised nicotine dosage levels, it seems unlikely that E-cig use could represent a real risk for nicotine poisoning. The E-cig cartridges though, may pose a real safety risk, especially around children.

References
Cobb et al. (2010). Novel nicotine delivery systems and public health: The rise of the “E-Cigarette”. American Journal of Public Health, 100(12), 2340-2342.

Horan, et al. (1977). Nicotine poisoning and rapid smoking. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45(3), 344-347.

Solarino, et al. (2010). Death due to ingestion of nicotine-containing solution: Case report and review of the literature. Forensic Science International, 195, e19-e22.

Vansickel et al. (2010). A clinical laboratory model for evaluating the acute effects of electronic “cigarettes”: Nicotine delivery profile and cardiovascular and subjective effects. Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention, 19, 1945-1953.

Yamin et al. (2010). E-Cigarettes: A rapidly growing internet phenomenon. Annals of Internal Medicine, 153, 607-609.

Zapobiegawczei et al. (2010). [Recommendations of the World Health Organisation Tobacco Control Research Team regarding electronic nicotine delivery devices.] Przeglud Lekarski, 67(10), 1088-1099.

The users of electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes) use the term, “throat hit,” to describe the feeling that the electronic cigarettes provide in comparison with drawing in smoke from a conventional cigarette. Since electronic cigarettes offer a vapor rather than smoke, the difference can seem disconcerting to someone who is used to regular cigarettes. “Throat hit,” refers to the sensation of the nicotine vapor as one inhales the electronic cigarette. This simulates the experience of inhaling smoke and also dispenses the same flavor that tobacco cigarettes give the smoker.

Smokers of electronic cigarettes only inhale two to three times to experience the full benefits of the tobacco with the added benefits of not having the same harsh aftertaste that conventional tobacco cigarettes have. Additionally, they contain neither odor, tar nor passive smoke.

Adapting to use e-cigarettes correctly is the first step in experiencing a satisfactory throat hit. Most people make the transition from the conventional kind very smoothly. However, the initial tendency is to take short , quick puffs and this will not deliver a satisfactory throat hit experience. The key is to take long, slow draws on the e-cigarette. This will result in a great throat hit. However, some people are confused about how long the draws should be.

Ideally, one’s inhalation should be steady and slow and last for from 4-6 second. Once the vapor has been inhaled, it is best to hold it in for around 3 seconds before exhaling. The smoker can do what is called, “taking it back,” by breathing in the vapor with a full lung inhale or by holding the nicotine vapor inside his or her mouth. This is similar to the technique cigar smokers use. Both ways of smoking the electronic cigarette will provide a good throat hit of nicotine. At most, the average smoker of electronic cigarettes should only have to inhale up to 8 times to get the full effect of a regular tobacco cigarette. Some users advise changing the catomizer for increased fulfillment. It is important not to chain smoke an e-cigarette. After 7-8 draws, it should be put away and used again later.

E-cigarettes have the advantage of providing a clean and comfortable alternative to conventional cigarettes. The throat hits delivered by the electronic cigarette is as powerful and satisfying as that of the regular tobacco cigarette. In a many ways, conventional cigarettes and electronic ones look and function the same. The tip of the e-cigarette glows when the smoker draws on it, just as a conventional cigarette does. The vapor is truly a realistic substitute for conventional tobacco smoke as well. The nicotine throat his and taste are quite similar.

The e-cigarette works via a lithium battery. The filter or cartomizer is a container of nicotine and disposable vaporizer that have been tightly sealed. When attached to the battery, it is activated and begins to vaporize the cartomizer’s contents. When the inhalation ceases, the glowing red LED tip of the electronic version returns to a standby mode and stops glowing. The electronic version contains no tar residue or carbon monoxide, as opposed to the conventional type of cigarettes.

The strength of the cartomizer effects the strength of the throat hit. If someone is accustomed to smoking a Menthol cigarette brand, the Menthol High 16 mg. e-cigarette will produce a similar throat hit to the conventional cigarette. If a person smokes fewer than 10 tobacco cigarettes each day or uses a mid-to-light brand of tobacco cigarette, the throat hit of a tobacco medium 11 mg. e-cigarette will provide an almost identical throat hit.

There are a number of reasons why many people choose to quit smoking. Many of these reasons revolve around the growing number of health risks associated with cigarette smoking along with many places banning public smoking. For this reason, there have been many alternative forms of tobacco use that have emerged on the market that tout their abilities to circumvent the smoking bans. One of the most popular forms of alternative tobacco use is the electronic cigarette, or what is called the e-cigarette in many circles. The e-cigarette is a metal tube similar in size and shape to normal cigarettes although it is remarkably different. Instead of firing the tobacco, the e-cigarette uses a device that vaporizes nicotine cartridges into a form that can be inhaled. Many e-cigarette companies claim that there is virtually no difference in e-cigarettes than analog cigarettes. However, many e-cigarette users will report a different story altogether.

Are E-Cigs Cheaper
While almost all electronic cigarette manufacturers make the claims that their e-cigarette will save the consumer significant amounts of money, those claims are rarely substantiated. For instance, the price of tobacco in general has increased over the last 15 years at almost 400% of its cost in the middle 1990s. This has caused many people to quit smoking, and other smokers to look for alternative methods. The e-cigarette claims to be much cheaper than actual smoking although that point is highly debatable. When one prices all of the equipment that he or she must initially spend in order to make the analog to e-cigarette switch, he or she will find the savings to be very little. Devices such as atomizers, cigarette tubes, and nicotine cartridges are just a few of the components needed when smoking e-cigarettes.

Public Smoking
Many e-cigarette manufacturers report that consumers can smoke e-cigarettes anywhere because they do not produce smoke but merely an odorless water vapor. However, as many e-cigarette smokers know, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, many restaurants and bars are starting to ban e-cigarettes just as they have analog cigarettes due to the simple fact that the water vapor is not odorless and can be just as intrusive to non-smoking patrons as cigarettes themselves. Unfortunately, e-cigarette smokers were not able to circumvent the smoking ban, which has some smokers highly irritated with their switch.

Ease of Use
Many electronic cigarette manufacturers claim that their e-cigarettes are easy to use and require very little maintenance. This is rarely true. These devices require upkeep and work to provide the ease of use that so many manufacturers claim. For instance, most devices have to be cleaned regularly to avoid becoming clogged. Also, the atomizers must be cleaned as well. Batteries for the device must be charged almost everyday to provide day long smoke for the consumer and will eventually have to be replaced, which causes a greater expense to the consumer. Although many manufacturers claim that their product is extremely easy to clean, most e-cigarette smokers believe this rarely to be the case.

Just Like Smoking a Regular Cigarette
E-cigarettes are said to be just like the real thing although most e-smokers would vehemently disagree with this point. The e-cigarettes are similar to regular cigarettes although they taste much different. Also, the e-cigarettes provide a form of nicotine but feels nothing like real cigarettes either. Most smokers agree that analog cigarettes allow the smoker to feel the smoke pulled into their lungs where it is transferred across the membrane. However, e-cigarettes transfer nicotine across the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.

Conclusion
There are a few advantages to smoking electronic cigarettes over analog cigarettes. However, many e-cigarette smokers will relay that the differences are not significant and manufacturer claims should be almost completely disregarded.

Manufacturers of electronic cigarettes technically are not permitted to market electronic cigarettes as safer or healthier than regular cigarettes.

You have to look at the facts currently available about electronic cigarettes and regular tobacco cigarettes and form your own opinion until testing and research has been conducted to offer any proof that electronic cigarettes are healthier.

Regular cigarettes contain as many as four thousand chemicals that are intrinsically unhealthy. This is because regular cigarettes contain tobacco and many other unhealthy compounds and chemicals such as acetone, ammonia, and DDT; also, it is because the combustion that occurs during smoking releases tars and carbon monoxide. This increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other cardiovascular diseases such as emphysema.

Electronic cigarettes produce a vapor that simulates inhaled smoke. No combustion occurs and neither is any tar or carbon monoxide released. This vapor is primarily nicotine and a harmless flavoring rather than the myriad of chemicals that are found in regular cigarettes.

Those who smoke electronic cigarettes claim that the negative effects associated with cigarette smoking are diminished. For instance, taste and smell are improved, there is less coughing, and it is easier on the lungs. You will no longer wake up with stiff lungs if you smoke electronic cigarettes.

Furthermore, the negative health effects associated with inhaling carbon monoxide do not occur when smoking electronic cigarettes. Also, there is much less of a chance of developing various cancers; this is because there are, according to some studies, no tar or carcinogens released when somebody smokes electronic cigarettes. However, there are some studies by the FDA that found some carcinogens were released; fortunately, these levels were barely detectable and were at levels far below the carcinogens released by regular cigarettes. This means that, even if a small amount of carcinogens are released, smoking electronic cigarettes is still vastly healthier than smoking regular cigarettes.

Also, electronic cigarettes do not have second-hand smoke. This means that there are no secondary negative health effects to smoking in public places.

However, an electronic cigarette is not an effective way to quit smoking because it continues to bring nicotine into the bloodstream of the smoker. Smokers are addicted primarily to nicotine and so electronic cigarettes are not considered smoking cessation devices by many health organizations throughout the world. In fact, smoking an electronic cigarette may act as a gateway to smoking regular cigarettes. As a result, electronic cigarettes still retain some unhealthy aspects.

For instance, the negative health effects associated with nicotine, such as increased blood pressure and a quickened heart rate, will occur with electronic cigarettes just as much as with regular cigarettes. This means that heart problems can be exacerbated from electronic cigarette use. Nicotine also is a poison and can produce overdose and even death if too much enters the bloodstream.

In conclusion, electronic cigarettes decrease the negative health effects associated with inhaling smoke, tars, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens. However, the effects of nicotine, which are addiction and cardiovascular problems, remain. The best thing for health would be to eliminate nicotine intake entirely. However, for anyone who is already smoking regular cigarettes, electronic cigarettes are much healthier than regular cigarettes.