Written By: Nirmalya Dutta | Published : May 5, 2014 5:12 PM IST
Amid claims that e-cigarettes can also cause cancer risks, a study has found that young adults believe electronic cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes - a presumption that is turning even non-smokers to nicotine addiction. 'Half of current users of e-cigarettes are non-smokers, suggesting that unlike tobacco harm-reduction products, e-cigarettes contribute to primary nicotine addiction and to re-normalisation of smoking behaviours,' said Robert C. McMillen, an associate professor at Mississippi State University in the US.
Young parents who use e-cigarettes believe that the devices are safer for those around them, the findings showed. The risks of e-cigarette use and exposure to vapour are unknown, yet many parents report using these electronic cigarettes to reduce harm to others, McMillen noted. Although e-cigarettes are marketed as an option to help smokers kick the habit, young adults also are less likely than older adults to use e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking.
For the study, the researchers surveyed a random sample of 3,253 adults in the US. The parents reported several reasons for using electronic cigarettes: 81 per cent said e-cigarettes might be less harmful than cigarettes to people around them; 76 percent said e-cigarettes are more acceptable to non-tobacco users; and 72 per cent said they could use the devices in places where smoking cigarettes is not allowed.
E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution. The user inhales the vapor created and ingests the nicotine. Some e-cigarettes are flavoured, and some have been found to contain toxic chemicals.
What are e-cigarettes?
An electronic cigarette is a device that mimics the entire smoking process by producing a mist which has the same sensation (sometimes the same flavour too) of smoking. The concept of an electronic cigarette has been around since the 60s but tobacco consumption wasn't really considered hazardous back then and it took until 2003 for the first smokeless e-cigarette to hit the market.
Electronic cigarettes manufacturers claim that they are like real cigarettes except that there are no hazardous health implications because there is no combustion, no tobacco and no smoking. Also since there is no passive smoking, second hand smoke and pollution due to butt litter or smoke.
What's in an e-cig?
The e-cigarette basically consists of three parts: Cartridge, Atomizer and Power supply
The cartridge's a mouthpiece (like a cigarette's butt) that usually holds the liquid that is to be vaporized. The atomizer serves as a heating element and vaporizes the liquid and each of them contains a power supply like a chargeable plug, USB drive or batteries.
An e-cigarette produces nicotine infused vapour and though it looks like smoke is actually atomised air. Some e-cigs replace this nicotine vapour with other flavours like vanilla, chocolate, etc. though certain anti-smoking groups feel this could encourage minors to smoke. As a smoking cessation tool some manufactures even look to replicate the flavour of particular brands like Marlboro, Camel, etc. (Read: Electronic Cigarettes what are they?)
With inputs from IANS
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