An electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a battery powered device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine by delivering a vaporized propylene glycol/nicotine solution, along with a flavor and physical sensations similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no tobacco or smoke or combustion is actually involved in its operation. An electronic cigarette is an elongated tube designed to resemble a cigarette, cigar and pipes. Electronic cigarette(s) also come in the form of a ball point pen.
An electronic cigarette consists of following components-a mouthpiece, a heating element, a rechargeable battery and an electronic circuit. When a user inhales through this device, air flow is detected by a sensor. The sensor activates a heating element that vaporizes nicotine solution stored in the mouthpiece. A LED on the opposite end of device also gets activated and stimulates the glow of actual burning tobacco.
The mouthpiece is a small disposable plastic cup affixed to the end of the tube containing an absorbent material moistened with a flavored propylene glycol/nicotine liquid solution. When the liquid in the cartridge has been depleted, it can either be refilled or replaced. The heating element serves to vaporize the liquid in the mouthpiece so that it can be inhaled. te.
Electronic cigarettes require an electronic airflow sensor and other electronic circuits such as a timed cutoff switch to prevent overheating, and an LED to signal activation of the device. The nicotine solution comes in various flavors and concentrations, varying from high dose (to mimic the content of a regular cigarette) to low dose (to mimic content of light and ultra light cigarettes). Flavors vary from those resembling specific brands such as Malboro, Camel to other flavors such as coffee, caramel, mint, etc.
Companies that market E-cigarette(s) make claims that most of the harmful effects of regular cigarettes are due to combustion of nicotine, and since no combustion takes place in an e-cigarette, it is a much healthier alternative to regular cigarettes. They are also marketed as a way to curtail addiction to nicotine. Also as its electronic, they are non-flammable, and do not cause bad breath. Non combustion means that other 'non smokers' are spared the risk of passive smoking as well.
However, the World Health Organization does not consider e-cigarettes to be legitimate smoking cessation aid, stating that no rigorous studies have been carried out to show e-cigarette as a safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy. It also warns that electronic smoking products may pose the risk of nicotine poisoning and addiction. Many countries such as Australia, Canada etc have banned sale of electronic cigarettes or issued advisories against their use.
