Do electronic cigarettes really help smokers quit? Here’s an overview of what consumers and public health experts say.
Smoke or vapour?
Smoking is responsible for more than five million deaths per year and tobacco causes one in four cancer deaths, worldwide. One of the latest and most popular quit-smoking devices to hit the market is the electronic or e-cigarette.
‘Vaping’, the term used to describe the smoking of e-cigarettes, has many proponents that include celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cara Delevingne, Robert Pattinson and Paris Hilton.
Although many e-cigarette smokers report that these devices have helped them quit or cut down on smoking tobacco, research around this topic is sparse. Health professionals admit that smoking e-cigarettes may be safer and a lesser evil than smoking tobacco but are nonetheless worried about long-term side-effects.
What is an e-cigarette and how does it work?
An electronic cigarette is a long, tube-shaped device with an atomiser and replaceable cartridge, powered by batteries. The cartridge contains an e-liquid that may (or may not) contain nicotine, different flavours (vanilla, chocolate, mint, tobacco, etc.) and an agent made with propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerine (VG). When the smoker inhales, the battery heats up the liquid inside, turning it into a vapour that can be inhaled and exhaled and that mimics many of the sensations and actions of regular cigarette smoking.
Pros and cons of e-cigarettes
Pros:
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- Less health risks and the probable prevention of millions of smoking-related deaths annually
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- The absence of smoke, ash and the smell of nicotine on clothes, hair and furniture − not to mention in cars and other venues
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- No second-hand smoke inhaled by others
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- Teeth not stained as with regular cigarettes
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- Up to 70% cheaper than buying regular cigarettes, although there will be an initial start-up cost
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- Echo friendliness as long as they are properly disposed of, preferably at a local e-waste facility.
Cons:
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- Lack of conclusive testing and research to show that the product is effective and safe; especially the effects of inhaling nicotine vapour over the long term
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- Concerns that users of e-cigarettes are choosing untested e-smoking devices instead of tried and tested quit smoking devices such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or nasal sprays
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- Concerns that there is no age restriction on buying e-cigarettes and that celebrity endorsements encourages children to use e-cigarettes because they equate smoking with being ‘cool’.
Worldwide trends
While the popularity of ‘vaping’ has increased dramatically, not all countries are embracing the new device. New York City banned e-smoking in public places because it undermined the enforcement of anti-smoking laws while Heathrow Airport opened an e-cigarette zone in December 2013. ‘Vaping’ is banned at South African airports. Furthermore, e-cigarettes, the nicotine fluid as well as the device, are subject to medical scheduling in South Africa and may only be sold at registered pharmacies.
Although the debate around e-cigarettes is far from resolved, a recent New Zealand study reported that nicotine e-cigarettes had the highest success rate of all devices in terms of users quitting smoking altogether.
Sources
Cassidy, S. Can e-cigarettes help you stop smoking? Retrieved from: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/smoking-cessation/e-cigarettes-help-stop-smoking.htm
E-cigarettes: going smokeless is part of going green. Retrieved from: http://www.environment.co.za/eco-green-living/e-cigarettes-going-smokeless-is-part-of-going-green.html
8 Reasons why you should change to Twisp. Retrieved from: http://www.twisp.co.za/slider/80-8-reasons-why-you-should-change-to-twisp.html
Hartley, S. 2014. Now doctors say e-cigarettes help quit smoking. Retrieved from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2537707/Now-doctors-say-e-cigarettes-help-quit-smoking-ban-public-places.html.
Stassen, W. 2013. E-cigarettes have to comply with medicines law. Retrieved from: http://www.health-e.org.za/2013/04/25/e-cigarettes-have-to-comply-with-medicines-law/