Are Electronic Cigarettes Safe?

For some, the safety behind electronic cigarettes (or “E-Cigarettes”) is about perspective—how safe are conventional cigarettes? Some question the safety of E Cigarette, but one must think about the millions of deaths caused by the tobacco in cigarettes. When put in that perspective asking whether or not E Cigarettes are safe almost seems like a silly question since they contain no tobacco. Despite this, we will still take a closer look here at the safety of E Cigs in evaluation of whether or not they truly are a viable alternative to conventional cigarettes.

Tobacco and Nicotine

The two most harmful substances in conventional cigarettes are tobacco and nicotine. An Electronic Cigarette contains no tobacco making them far safer than conventional cigarettes. As for nicotine, electronic cigarettes offer smokers the opportunity to adjust nicotine levels with different cartridges. Of course, E Cig users must be responsible in ensuring their cartridges and refill cartridges contain a safe and appropriate level of nicotine. Too much nicotine through any smoking method (conventional or electronic) carries risk and possible adverse effects.

Smoking Cessation vs. Smoking Alternative

There has been some controversy with the FDA which is one of the most common arguments against the safety of the electronic cigarette. After some testing and attempted blocking by the FDA, efforts to stop E Cig importation have ended since they are now correctly considered to be an alternative to cigarettes rather than a smoking cessation device. This is an important distinction for users to understand when it comes to electronic cigarettes.

Users should not rely on E-Cigarettes as a method to stop smoking as they do contain nicotine. However, they can appropriately be used as an alternative to smoking. They allow smokers to get the “smoking experience” without the harmful effects of tobacco found in conventional cigarettes. With millions of deaths resulting from tobacco, E-Cigarettes are much better alternative to the tobacco-containing cigarettes pushed for years by the tobacco industry.

Second-Hand Smoke

Discussing the safety of any type of cigarette is incomplete without addressing the issue of second-hand smoke. Smoking puts not only the smoker at risk for health problems but also those around them inhaling the second hand smoke which, in conventional cigarettes, contains tobacco. The E Cigarette is a much safer alternative to conventional cigarettes in that this dangerous second-hand smoke is eliminated. Unlike conventional cigarettes, the E-Cig only contains nicotine and not the hundreds of other harmful substances in tobacco putting not only the smoker in harms-way but also others.

Please read another article – Benefits of using an E Cigarette

Are E Cigarettes Legal?

The short answer is yes, E-Cigarettes are legal in the UK. In fact, they are becoming more popular because they are legal to smoke inside bars not to mention cheaper. The electronic cigarette (“E-Cig”) is one way smokers are evading the ban on smoking in public places since they do not emit harmful second-hand smoke like conventional cigarettes. However, the legality of the E Cigarette is not so clear cut throughout the world.

The popularity behind electronic cigarette largely stems from the similar appearance, taste and feel of the conventional cigarette but without containing tobacco and related harmful substances. A factor in its legality is that smokers can get the smoking experience and nicotine without exposing anyone, including themselves, to the harmful chemicals of second-hand smoke from conventional cigarettes. Because they are tobacco-free, E-Cigarettes can be legally smoked in public venues where conventional cigarettes may not.

Another important legal aspect of the E Cigarette is its proper designation as an alternative to smoking and not a smoking cessation device. This is largely a matter of regulation by various organizations, including the World Health Organization which has not yet approved e-Cigarettes as “nicotine replacement therapy” due to lack of clinical testing. Introduced in 2004, electronic cigarettes are used by thousands in Europe and other regions who appreciate the alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes.

One of the primary differences between conventional cigarettes and the electronic cigarettes is that the E Cigarette allows users to enjoy the behavioral aspect of smoking (social factors, puffing, etc.) but without exposure to tobacco. Technology involving e-Cigarettes continues to advance making it even more satisfying a smoking alternative and legal in the UK and many other regions around the world. Electronic cigarettes have developed throughout the years so that they presently overcome the legal obstacles surrounding conventional cigarettes.

Still fairly new to the market, the legality of the E Cig could change as regulation and medicinal trappings evolve; but, to date, it is legal to purchase and sell electronic cigarettes in the UK. They offer a feasible alternative to overcome the ban on smoking tobacco-containing cigarettes in public places. Of course, not to be overlooked is the fact that electronic cigarettes are tobacco-free and therefore eliminate some of the adverse effects of conventional cigarettes. With this in mind, the legality of the e cigarette could prove to be a non-issue in other parts of the world as the market grows and they become more popular as a smoking alternative.