The effects and health risks of smoking directly or passively are well known. Smoking in public places has been banned in the UK since July 2007 and many more countries are joining the growing list.
Because nothing is burnt, only vapour is exhaled and none of the toxic chemicals present in tobacco are released when using the electronic cigarette, 'e' smoking is an effective alternative that can be used anywhere! There is no residue or smell and passive smoking is no longer an issue.
Let's be absolutely clear at this point. Legally, although electronic cigarettes are covered by health and safety regulations and may be sold for use in the UK, they are not sold as an aid to quitting smoking. Although nicotine has been sold and inhaled legally in various forms for many years, the electronic cigarette is so new that it doesn't, as yet, have a UK product licence number and is therefore sold as an 'alternative to tobacco'. The ingredients are all well known of course and tested for purity. That said, many people have found it a useful alternative in those places where smoking is not allowed and comment that their dependance on regular tobacco has declined - in some case very significantly or altogether.
Smoke, tar, smell and countless medical warnings surround today's smoker. The social stigma is growing and understandably so. Passive smokers don't deserve to share the associated risks. There are some twenty five diseases directly attributed to smoking and many of these are extremely serious if not fatal.
Roughly 4,800 chemicals have been found to be present in cigarettes and the smoke they produce of which 43 have been identified as causing cancer.
Since nothing burns, there is no unpleasant smoke or tar. The main ingredients of cartridges are used extensively in the food, nutrition, cosmetic and medical industries in a wide variety of products from chewing gum to sweets and simply as flavouring. A measured dose of nicotine is suspended in the cartridge fluid and this is inhaled along with the vapour causing a similar sensation to drawing on a tobacco based cigarette. Nicotine is relatively safe by inhalation - it is the burning, smoke and tar which seems to cause the major health problems.
Cartridges contain nicotine which can be harmful or fatal if swallowed rather than inhaled. Cartridges are wrapped in child proof packaging and carry clear warnings. Furthermore, the product is intended for existing, adult smokers. All packaging is clearly marked and they should not be used, sold or given to non smokers or those under eighteen. Because these cartridges are manufactured in the UK, you have the added assurance that the product meets all current safety and medical legislation.
It must be stated that the long term effects of inhaling the few cartridge ingredients have yet to be studied in full whereas smoking is known to cause fatal diseases.