E-Cigarettes Alcantara, Pirkko De La Cruz, Vonn

What is an E-Cigarette? Electronic devices that replicate a cigarette, cigar or other smoking pipes are called "e-cigs" or "e- cigarettes". They are activated by inhaling the device; on detecting the airflow the heating element is activated releasing vapor. The process of smoking electronic cigarettes is more commonly knows as "Vaping". In addition to being tobacco free it contains varying amounts of nicotine and or propylene glycol.

A futuristic advance in science that looks, feels, tastes like a tobacco cigarette and requires the same mechanical motions. They expel an almost odorless water vapor that looks like smoke, but isn’t. The secret to what makes the E-Cigarettes better than traditional smoking is what’s inside this revolutionary product.

How does it work? Components of an E-Cigarette: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery Vaporizer with a microchip: This is the heating element which helps to vaporize the liquid Mouth piece: This cartridge contains the liquid nicotine solution most commonly referred to as the "e-liquid". The e-liquid has varying concentrations of liquid nicotine a well known stimulant responsible for the dependency factor in tobacco smoking.

E-Cigarettes are driven by modern microelectronic technology. The body is an integrated structure made up of a cartridge, an atomization chamber, a smart chip controller and lithium battery. In the front of the device is an operating mode indicator that lights up when you use it and simulates the burn of a tobacco cigarette.

The most intriguing part of the E-Cigarette is the atomization chamber. This is where the magic takes place. The atomizer is responsible for creating the vapor like smoke, very much like a real cigarette. This vapor is a result from the heating up or atomizing of the liquid inside the cartridge. The atomizer produces the vapor that when inhaled, gives the user the physical sensation and nicotine hit that smokers crave. It gives you the full effect of smoking real tobacco without harsh tobacco smoke and without second hand irritation.

Health and Legal Issues of E-Cigarettes There are several important health and legal issues involved with electronic cigarettes: Companies have claimed it to be an alternative to smoking tobacco. The US FDA, on testing these products, indicated that there were toxic chemicals including a carcinogen known to cause cancer in humans produced by e-sigs. According to World Health Organization (WHO) e-cigs are not currently used for Nicotine Replacement Therapy due to lack of peer reviewed studies. Due to insufficient information and background research, E- cigarettes are currently not regulated under the Indoor Clean Air Act

For Your Safety Public Health advocates have complained about these products as they are aimed at young people and can serve as a "gateway" to tobacco smoking. For a healthier lifestyle, avoid the use of all nicotine containing products.

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