Your Electronic Cigarette Questions and Misconceptions Cleared Up Once and For All

The electronic cigarette was developed in China in 2004 and was designed by the Runyan corporation. It was designed to take the place of smoking tobacco cigarettes and cigars because, despite global smoking bans, many smokers just find it too difficult to quit altogether. There are numerous nicotine replacement products on the market, such as gum and patches, but these in no way replicate the smoking experience which has been proven to be a part of the addictive ritual of smoking. The e-cigarette is revolutionary in that it's aim is to both deliver nicotine to user and simulate the experience of smoking a traditional tobacco cigarette.

The electronic cigarette, or e-cig, in most cases looks just like a traditional cigarette and is made of a mouthpiece that holds a nicotine cartridge, a heating element or atomizer, a battery and an LED at the tip of the device. The way e-cigs work is that they contain an airflow meter that is triggered when the user inhales on the device. This activates the circuitry and delivers the nicotine to user by a short burst of vapor that is inhaled. The LED at the tip lights up showing that the battery is working and also making the device appear similar to a lit cigarette. The vapor that is exhaled may look like smoke but it is actually just a water, propylene glycol based vapor that is odorless and harmless.

E-cigarettes come in many shapes, colors and flavors. There are the models that look like traditional cigarettes and also some that are made to look like fountain pens. Flavors are limitless from Marlboro and Camel to Mint and Chocolate, with new flavors being developed constantly. The cartridges are also available with different levels of nicotine in them should you desire to lower your intake or even cut it out altogether.

There is a lot of controversy and confusion with regards to the legality and safety of electronic cigarettes and the media does not seem to be sorting the facts out for us very well. E-Cigarettes ARE available for sale in the United States but they are NOT approved or endorsed by the Federal Drug Administration. Electronic Cigarettes CAN be sold as "Alternatives" to tobacco cigarettes but they are NOT approved as "Smoking Cessation" devices. Electronic Cigarettes have NOT been deemed to be unsafe by any US or European health organization and parts of Europe have even declared the electronic cigarette to be a public-friendly device.

Aside from the over 4000 harmful chemicals found in a tobacco cigarette that you will no longer be polluting your body with, there are few other pluses to making the switch. How about the ability to get around all of those smoking bans? Incredibly, you can smoke electronic cigarettes in most bars, restaurants, malls, airports, workplaces, you name it. There is no flame or smoke, therefore the smoking ban does not apply. Have you noticed all of the new tobacco taxes in the last few months? How could you not? E-cigarettes are actually cheaper to smoke than tobacco cigarettes. Aside from the initial investment in a starter kit, you will save a ton of money by switching. It just keeps getting better.