E-cigarettes have seen a huge success rate since they hit the market about three years ago, and this is because they basically simulate the real process of smoking, including the added bonus of a hit of nicotine.
These cigarettes produce smoke that evaporates quickly and does not leave behind an odor the way real cigarettes do. This cigarette really captures the smoking experience and is still able to evade the laws imposed by government as it has not been proven to be harmful to the health of others.
Those who use this form of cigarette find it very enjoyable as each e-cigarette contains a removable cartridge which delivers vapors to the lungs of a smoker, and they can be bought in a variety of flavors and with or without nicotine.
People who use these cigarettes have even been given a new name - "vapers." Smoker turned vaper Bonnie Martin says, "I can say I enjoy (vaping), even if it's zero nicotine. There may come a time when I lose interest in it, but right now I enjoy the way that it tastes. A combination of a tobacco blend and caramel is my everyday vape."
However, there may also soon come a time when activist groups decide that e-cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes. Concerns have already surfaced that this type of cigarette will probably lead to more teens and children getting hooked on smoking. But the positive sides of this cigarette replacement need to be weighed before there is any upheaval.
[Via: UPI.com]
The New York Times' City Room recently decided to test yet unregulated e-cigarette. In New York City, the laws on smoking are fairly strict so this was the place to try things out.
As the smoke released by this fake cigarette is fairly realistic it got some fairly negative reactions on the subway.
It seemed that only smokers themselves accepted the cigarette warmly. The e-cigarette seemed to be a way to start up some conversation, with smokers asking questions like, "Are you trying to quit smoking?" Most smokers recognize the product right from the start.
Many are curious about the price of the product and whether it contains real nicotine. There are also questions about how the smoke is created, and what to do when you run out of nicotine.
It was found that the best place to use this product is in bars as it is not all that visible, only the imitation embers can be seen when the smoker inhales. The smoke has no smell and just evaporates into the air, so if the bartender is not paying attention probably will not notice what you are doing.
But it is interesting to see the negative reactions of the average passerby, there is quite a stigma associated with smoking and even if one uses a prop like the e-cigarette (which is environment friendly) they will still be ostracized.
[Via: NY Times Blogs]
Among the fears of smokers stands possible weight gain after they have quit smoking. Many smokers will have all the motivation they need to quit but when they start packing on the pounds they usually revert back to puffing away.
There is a new "YOU Can Quit" plan out on the market, which advocates substituting your smoking habit with an activity such as walking.
Apparently if you use this method you can quit smoking without gaining all of that weight. Nearly 700 patients have locked onto this plan and women seemed to gain no weight in the first six weeks while men were gaining about 2 pounds.
The plan includes walking for 30 minutes daily and calling a buddy for support whenever you have a craving. Of course, nicotine replacements like the patch are also involved. The longer you are off cigarettes the more training that is involved.
This seems like a plausible way of losing weight and quitting smoking and it is usually said that in order to kick one habit you have to start up another one.
[Via: FortWayne.com]
Some schools in the United Kingdom are giving out nicotine patches in order to help kids quit smoking. This is a government project, which schools in the Barnsley and South Yorkshire area have signed up for.
This movement was brought forth in February by England's NHS advisory body, which thought that children should also be helped in getting over their nicotine problems.
The BBC was told by one parent who's son was getting some of this help that the plan was, "fantastic."
After starting senior school Karen White's son started to smoke nearly 10 cigarettes a day. Nicky said, "When I went into the senior year I was with the big 'uns and I thought 'shall I try it?' and I did and I got addicted and so I thought it was good."
"But I thought it was horrible when I saw the pictures on the Internet about lung cancer so I thought I would stop."
The teachers at his school asked his mother to enroll him in the program when he was caught smoking on school grounds. Nicky has now been getting nicotine patches and smoking cessation gum, and he's now bent on getting his friends to stop, too.
This is a great solution to a problem that is usually the worst when it starts early. People who start smoking when they are extremely young have the hardest time quitting and sometimes only a helping hand is needed.
[Via: BBC]
In most problematic situations in life there is a loop hole. Due to tobacco bans many pub owners were concerned about a loss of business but there is a new gadget causing a stir in the industry - the electronic cigarette.
This alternative for cigarettes gives smokers the sensation of smoking without emitting harmful smoke.
One of the best known brands on the market is the SuperSmoker costing about $150. This gadget allows for smokers to get around the new smoking bans.
Though this device may seem expensive in the long run it knocks off about 65% of the costs of smoking. It also makes going to the pub a bit easier as it is completely legal to use these devices in public places.
According to the distributors of this product it is a safe alternative and tastes, smokes and looks like a regular cigarette. It also has no negative effects on the health of others.
So far, these electronic cigarettes have seen great results in England, with some bar owners handing them out to their customers.
[Via: YourCanterbury]
