Everything You Need To Know About E-Cigarettes

An electronic cigarette (or e-cig) is a battery-powered vaporizer that mimics tobacco smoking. It works by heating up a nicotine liquid, called "juice."

Nicotine juice (or e-juice) comes in various flavors and nicotine levels. Project Vape describes e-liquid as a liquid composed of five ingredients: vegetable glycerin (a material used in all types of food and personal care products, like toothpaste) and propylene glycol (a solvent most commonly used in fog machines.) PG is the ingredient that produces thicker clouds of vapor.

Short answer: no. A recent study conducted by the Department of Health Behavior at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, found that while second hand vapor does contain nicotine, it does not contain the same harmful effects of second-hand cigarette smoke. "E-cigarettes contain variable amounts of nicotine and some traces of toxicants. But very little is known to what extent non-users can be exposed to nicotine and other chemicals in situations when they are present in the same room with users of e-cigarettes," the report said.

It's safe to say that e-cigs are a good way to stop smoking traditional cigarettes, although the health risks cannot be fully understood yet. The Telegraph reports that, "one study of 657 smokers, published in The Lancet last month, found that e‑cigarettes worked as well as nicotine patches in helping people stop smoking within six months. With an average quitting rate of about 6 percent, neither method worked brilliantly, but e-cigarettes were also better at reducing conventional cigarette use among those who did not give up totally".

Many states are banning the use of e-cigs indoors. Since e-cigs are new, there haven't been enough studies conducted on the long-term health effects. Local governments are also hesitant to endorse e-cigs because of the possibility that e-cig users can use illegal substances in place of nicotine. Another argument against e-cigs is the candy-like flavors, which officials argue will lure children into smoking.

Because e-cigs are a fairly new technology, there is a lot of debate on the health effects. There's a ton of misinformation and opinion from both sides. One thing we can say about the health and safety of e-cigs is that the technology vaporizes traditionally harmless compounds that deliver nicotine to the user. The reason that real cigarettes have been proven to negatively affect your health because of the burning chemicals, paper, and glue.

To keep things simple, we'll break down the kinds of e-cigs into two types: disposable and rechargeable. Brands like NJoy, Blu, Greensmoke, and others, make disposable and rechargeable e-cigs: the ones you've seen at the gas station or your local convenience store. Other type of e-cigs are custom vaporizers. These vaporizers allow users to interchange the juice tanks, batteries, and adjust the voltage. They're gaining popularity because they last longer, give a better taste, and are reusable. Custom e-cigs are sold at smoke shops, and new spots sprouting up all over called "vaporiums."

The e-cig experience is very different from traditional cigarettes. Smokers of electronic cigarettes don't have to worry about dealing with the smell of regular cigarettes, and because they're reusable, users are able to save money. Advocates say they feel better using the e-cig in place of smoking traditional cigarettes, and praise it for helping to kick the traditional habit. But, this is always subjective, and varies from person to person.

While prices vary depending on the state, popular brands like Blu e-cigs sell disposables for about the price of a normal pack of cigarettes. NJOY sells a 3-pack of its disposable cigs for $26.97 online. The expectation is that you get more "puffs" than you would out of a normal pack of cigarettes. You can shop online, but also many disposable e-cigs are available at gas stations or convenience stores. The vaporizer e-cigs tend to cost more, but they last longer and have a wide variety of flavor choices. Here in New York City a "custom" vaporizer starter kit typically is available for $50.

The future of e-cigs is uncertain. New York City and Chicago have recently banned the use of e-cigs indoors, while the decisions of other states remain uncertain. Because officials haven't been able to assess the health effects of e-cigs, they should be used with caution. The reality for some is that the technology is allowing many people to kick the traditional cigarette habit, which is a good thing. Regardless, e-cigs are rapidly changing the tobacco industry and is making companies record profits.