Tobacco Alternatives

The Electronic Cigarette

Millions of people smoke tobacco cigarettes to satiate their craving for nicotine but few take to heart the potentially devastating impact cigarettes have on health. That being said, an alternative to traditional tobacco has arrived and is cleaner as well as healthier than those horrible cancer-causing cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes have grown from a niche market to a formidable industry in just a few short years and have created a market for alternative smokers who’d rather have the option to smoke without the dangerous risks associated with tobacco smoke. We all know the expense of keeping a costly habit but with an electronic cigarette, smokers can reap the benefits.

Popularly known as electronic cigarettes (or e Cig, e-Cigarette), these little devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes but each one has one thing in common: each electronic cigarette contains no tobacco. While it can be a daunting feat to transition from tobacco to electronic variants, this simple overview will help you understand what an electronic cigarette is and why it’s one of the most sought after alternative smoking products available today. We’ll start with a brief overview of electronic cigarettes then on to the main components and finish off this piece with tips on how to find the best electronic cigarette for you. Read on to find out more.

Overview
Electronic cigarettes are products that were introduced into the marketplace in the early 2000s to promote a healthier alternative to tobacco cigarettes. These devices simulate the look and feel of smoking a traditional cigarette right down to the smoke you inhale. In fact, the “smoke” output from an electronic cigarette isn’t technically similar to tobacco smoke. It’s inhalable water vapor that mimics the same sensation as a plume of tobacco smoke. Despite the mimicry between electronic and traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes differ in that they lack the health risks associated with their tobacco counterparts.

Electronic cigarettes are noncombustible products so, unlike traditional tobacco cigarettes, they don’t require an open flame for operation. Heat generated within the unit vaporizes a food-grade propylene glycol (or vegetable glycerin) solution mixed with a concentrated amount of nicotine. When heated, the solution becomes a mist of vapor that looks and feels like tobacco smoke. The process is actually quite similar to how a humidifier operates.

Of course, one question comes to mind: why use an electronic cigarette over a traditional one? One of the main draws in using an electronic cigarette is that it’s designed to be a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco. When you smoke a traditional cigarette, you’re exposing yourself to dangerous chemical additives found in products ranging from household cleaners to industrial pesticides. An electronic cigarette, on the other hand, just uses a couple of ingredients to simulate the sensation of smoking which is much healthier. Ammonia, tar, and carbon monoxide are just a few of the products found in tobacco smoke among thousands. Furthermore, because of the adverse effects on health, some smokers are even turning to electronic cigarettes as a cessation device to help them kick the habit for good. Some studies have proven that electronic cigarettes are more effective than traditional cessation products like gum or nicotine because smokes can continue to smoke while working on limiting their dependency to nicotine.

 

What’s In An Electronic Cigarette?

An electronic cigarette is a simple device comprised of only three parts: a liquid reservoir holding liquid solution, a heating unit called an atomizer, and the power source.

The power source is a rechargeable lithium ion battery that comes standard with any electronic cigarette. Plugging in the battery into the atomizer the electronic cigarette then needs the liquid solution that comes in either a flavor cartridge or cartomizer (a unit which combines a flavor cartridge and atomizer into one single piece, for use with three-piece designs only).

The cylindrical shape is designed to look like a traditional cigarette giving those who transition from tobacco cigarettes a certain familiarity. Many electronic cigarettes are reusable giving users the option to replace a flavor cartridge or cartomizer with a refillable or pre-filled replacement. Electronic cigarettes also have the option to use multiple flavors. The liquid solution that electronic cigarettes use to produce an inhalable vapor come in a wide variety of flavors and nicotine strengths which means a user can continue to use the same device but vary either the strength or flavor of a cartridge or cartomizer.

Finding The Best Electronic CigaretteWhen looking for an electronic cigarette, you’ll more than likely be inundated by a plethora of brands and it can quickly become overwhelming. Don’t fret as even though you may have to wade through a sea of choices you can find the product that’s right for you. One of the ways smokers decide on what kind of product they want is to consult professional reviews and or user reviews on forums and product websites. You’ll get firsthand accounts on a particular electronic cigarette. If you’re unsure if a review is pushing to make a sale, consider looking for unbiased consumer review sites which will help you determine a suitable brand without buying into the marketing ploy.

Ask yourself what kind of smoker you are. Are you a casual smoker? Do you like smoking on the go? Answering these questions can be quite helpful in determining whether you should buy a starter kit with one battery or one with two and a portable charging case. Due diligence is required when determining the right brand for you. Never buy a starter kit you’re unsure of without proper research. One of the brands you may come across, Smoke Stik, is one of our preferred recommendations chiefly because they create a quality product that is budget friendly. With great tasting flavors, this scrappy certainly knows when to pull punches.

Whatever brand you choose, however, ask yourself how you’ll use an electronic cigarette. The answer to that question should help refine your search. Happy Hunting!

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