E-cigarette Overview

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, have been in existence since 2003. These smokeless cigarettes, pipes and cigars provide the user with an inhaled experience which is delivered by a nicotine or a non-nicotine solution, both of which can be used instead of traditional cigarettes, pipes and cigars.

When the user inhales through the disposable mouthpiece, a heating element vaporizes the solution which contains flavoring and, if wanted, nicotine. There are manual and automatic types and they are composed of a disposable mouthpiece, a heating element, a cartridge, an LED light and batteries, which are rechargeable, as well as the charger.

People use smokeless cigarettes for a variety of reasons. If nicotine is added to the solution, this smokeless option to standard cigarettes or cigars allows for use inside of buildings and vehicles where second-hand smoke is a concern and smoking can be banned. The lack of combustion of tobacco resulting in a lowering of combustion by-products, tar and carcinogens is also touted as a benefit. If the refill solution chosen contains no nicotine, an electronic smokeless cigarette can also be used as one part of a stop-smoking program on the path to a healthier life. These e-cigarettes can allow a person who has decided to quit smoking the experience of smoking without the nicotine intake. This lets them break the nicotine addiction while still being able to enjoy the habit of the act of smoking.

An electronic cigarette starter kit usually contains one e-cigarette, batteries and charger, cartridges and instructions. One cartridge equals approximately one-and-a-half packs of traditional cigarettes. This equals about 100 to 250 inhales, depending on the brand and model.

Refill solutions for e-pipes, e-cigars and e-cigarettes are available as complete cartridges or as a liquid to refill existing cartridges. They are available in a variety of ounces of fluid or number of cartridges and in differing flavors such as menthol, tobacco, vanilla, cherry, apple, coffee, strawberry, chocolate and the flavor of some major brands. Cartridges and solutions can be found in five different concentrations: Ultra high (24mg), High (16mg), Medium (11mg), Low (6mg) and Zero (0mg). By comparison, a standard pack contains a total of 22mg nicotine.

There are some people who should not consider using smokeless cigarettes, cigars or pipes. These include pregnant or breastfeeding women, non-smokers, minors, people with sensitivity to any of the ingredients and those at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, asthma or diabetes.

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