To date, several studies have been conducted to determine the amount of each contained in e-cigarettes. A 2009 study conducted by the FDA to determine nicotine and chemical content present in e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes, found that there are between 0 to 35 micrograms (µg) of nicotine per puff from an electronic cigarette and between 152 to 193 micrograms (µg) of nicotine per puff of a traditional cigarette. The study also determined that a traditional cigarette contains approximately 1 mg (1,000 milligrams) of nicotine (Grana et al. 40). Using the numbers presented above, it would take a user more than 30 puffs of an e-cigarette (at 30 micrograms per puff) to equal the amount of nicotine contained in a single conventional cigarette, meaning there is approximately 5-6 times more nicotine in a regular cigarette. Given an amount of 10 micrograms of nicotine per puff of an e-cigarette, the number turns into a staggering 15-18 times more nicotine contained in a conventional …show more content…
In 2014, a group of Italian scientists launched a 12 month randomized control study consisting of 300 people to determine the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for cigarettes smoking reduction and abstinence among habitual smokers. In the study, two groups were given e-cigarettes with nicotine for 12-weeks, one with 7.2 mg of nicotine and the other 5.4 mg, while the third group received the nicotine-free placebo. In total, there were 9 visits throughout the study period to measure normal cigarette use and carbon monoxide levels (Capono et al.). The results showed that, “Smoking reduction was documented in 22.3% and 10.3% at week-12 and week-52 respectively. Complete abstinence from tobacco smoking was documented in 10.7% and 8.7% at week-12 and week-52 respectively” (Capono et al.). The e-cigarettes proved successful in helping decrease smokers’ consumption of traditional cigarettes in each of the three cohorts without causing any health side effects to the