Electronic Cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes are devices that mimic real cigarettes. They look the same and feel the same (roughly), but when “smoking” them you don’t inhale harmful fumes. Instead, you inhale a mist bearing the physical sensation, appearance, and the flavour and nicotine content of inhaled tobacco smoke. Electronic cigarettes use heat, or ultrasonics, to vapourise a propylene glycol, or glycerin-based liquid solution into an aerosol mist.
E-cigarettes have been designed to look like real cigarettes or cigars. Some are reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts. Other models are disposable.
The electronic cigarette is an alternative to tobacco smoking, or a smoking cessation device. It is designed to deliver the experience of smoking without the adverse health effects associated with tobacco smoke. However, concerns have been raised about the use of these devices. Among those concerns are that using e-cigarettes does carry health risks, and that it could appeal to non-smokers.
Benefits and adverse effects of e-cigs use are actually the subject of disagreement for different health organisations and researchers. Controlled studies of electronic cigarettes are scarce due to their relatively recent invention. Laws governing the use and sale of e-cigarettes, as well as the accompanying liquid solutions, vary widely, with pending legislation and ongoing debate in many regions.