Electronic cigarettes are increasing in popularity, in particular with people who already smoke traditional cigarettes, some of whom are trying to use electronic cigarettes as a gateway to quitting smoking. Electronic cigarettes produce a water-based vapor instead of the combustible smoke produced by the tobacco in regular cigarettes. They contain a battery that heats a liquid containing nicotine, a variety of other chemicals, and sometimes propellants or flavorings, and changes this liquid into vapor, which is then inhaled, simulating the feeling of normal smoking (Hanson). The health effects of electronic cigarettes have been debated since e-cigarettes became available, with some saying that they are much healthier than traditional cigarettes and should be readily available, and others arguing that more research should be done before they can be used. I will be examining this issue through the perspectives of health professionals and smokers to show that electronic cigarettes provide a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes and are scientifically proven to help people quit smoking. Most people believe that electronic cigarettes are not nearly as harmful as traditional cigarettes. Many health professionals believe the same thing: that the vapors produced by electronic cigarettes have fewer health risks than the tobacco in traditional cigarettes (Hanson). Armando Peruga, who works for the World Health Organization, stated in an interview that the average electronic cigarette has been found to emit lower levels of toxins than conventional cigarettes, and that in some brands of e-cigarettes, the levels produced are extremely low (Fleck). Cancer Research UK has said that the vapor emitted by electronic cigarettes does not contain the carbon monoxide or carcinogens produced by normal cigarettes (“Tobacco Products : Regulating”). In one study, researchers “screened 35 samples of different e-cigarette solutions in three types of cells: human pulmonary fibroblasts, human embryonic stem cells, and mouse neural stem cells.” The nicotine in the e-cigarette solutions showed no evidence of containing cytotoxins, substances that are toxic to cells (Arnold). Due to the absence of tobacco and carcinogens, as well as the lowered levels of toxins in electronic cigarettes, many health professionals believe that if smokers of traditional cigarettes switched to smoking e-cigarettes, they would have a reduced risk of getting diseases such as heart disease and cancer (Hanson). The American Medical Association has stated that electronic cigarettes do not contain tobacco, which is the main health hazard in conventional cigarettes (Marlow). Other research done by medical professionals and researchers supports the belief that e-cigarettes can be used as a device to help people quit smoking.
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A 2013 study showed that e-cigarettes can be used as a step towards quitting smoking, and that most e-cigarette users are current or prior smokers (“Tobacco Products : Regulating”). The American Medical Association has explained that e-cigarettes have the potential to be considered a “clean nicotine” product because they deliver nicotine to the user without the health risks of tobacco. Verified “clean nicotine” products include nicotine patches and gum, and are considered a safe way to help people quit smoking (Marlow). A study done in 2010 by researchers at Boston University’s School of Public Health showed that the toxicity level of electronic cigarettes was around the same as the toxicity levels of these existing “clean nicotine” products (Hemphill). Also, a clinical trial performed in New Zealand concluded that electronic cigarettes are at least as effective at helping people quit smoking as the currently used nicotine patches are (Glans). They may even be more helpful due to the fact that they simulate smoking and nicotine replacement therapy devices, like patches and gum, do not (Marlow). Therefore, electronic cigarettes should be considered to be a product that can effectively and safely be used as therapy to help smokers quit. Many health professionals have recognized the benefits of electronic cigarettes. Richard Carmona, a former United States surgeon general, has stated that he believes that e-cigarettes carry much potential to reduce the harm of smoking (Hemphill). Over 50 researchers and specialists signed a letter to the World Health Organization stating that electronic cigarettes have the potential to save hundreds of millions of lives and could be one of the most important health related inventions of the 21st century (McWatt). Many smokers like electronic cigarettes because their vapor looks like the smoke from regular cigarettes but is much less toxic and does not contain the tar of or
A 2013 study showed that e-cigarettes can be used as a step towards quitting smoking, and that most e-cigarette users are current or prior smokers (“Tobacco Products : Regulating”). The American Medical Association has explained that e-cigarettes have the potential to be considered a “clean nicotine” product because they deliver nicotine to the user without the health risks of tobacco. Verified “clean nicotine” products include nicotine patches and gum, and are considered a safe way to help people quit smoking (Marlow). A study done in 2010 by researchers at Boston University’s School of Public Health showed that the toxicity level of electronic cigarettes was around the same as the toxicity levels of these existing “clean nicotine” products (Hemphill). Also, a clinical trial performed in New Zealand concluded that electronic cigarettes are at least as effective at helping people quit smoking as the currently used nicotine patches are (Glans). They may even be more helpful due to the fact that they simulate smoking and nicotine replacement therapy devices, like patches and gum, do not (Marlow). Therefore, electronic cigarettes should be considered to be a product that can effectively and safely be used as therapy to help smokers quit. Many health professionals have recognized the benefits of electronic cigarettes. Richard Carmona, a former United States surgeon general, has stated that he believes that e-cigarettes carry much potential to reduce the harm of smoking (Hemphill). Over 50 researchers and specialists signed a letter to the World Health Organization stating that electronic cigarettes have the potential to save hundreds of millions of lives and could be one of the most important health related inventions of the 21st century (McWatt). Many smokers like electronic cigarettes because their vapor looks like the smoke from regular cigarettes but is much less toxic and does not contain the tar of or