Electronic Cigarette Health Risks

Tobacco is consumed worldwide in many different forms like, cigarettes, chews, snuff, dips, etc. The origin of crude cigarettes has been traced back to the ninth century Central America, where tobacco was used in the form of smoking tubes and reeds. Crude forms of cigarettes were used during the sixteenth and seventeenth century. This practice was mainly associated with religious rituals in many parts of the world. Now, we have cigarettes in various flavors with different tobacco blends. However, cigarette smoking is linked to many different health problems.

For a very long time, people were not aware of the health risks associated with cigarettes as well as other tobacco products. Cigarette smoking became widespread during the twentieth century and it was during this period that physicians started thinking about the possible health risks of cigarette smoking. Various articles were published during this period, stating the possible link between cigarettes and lung cancer. By mid-twentieth century, there was an increasing awareness about these health risks and printed health warnings started to appear on cigarette packs. Though, cigarettes are still being used widely, various products have been introduced as safe alternatives to this tobacco product. One of these popular products is electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or smokeless cigarette. Is this product safe enough to be used on a regular basis? If you are interested in knowing more about electronic cigarette health risks, go through this article.

What are Electronic Cigarettes?

As the name rightly suggests, e-cigarettes are electronic devices that are now widely used as an alternative to conventional cigarettes. This device uses heat (ultrasonics in some models) for producing an aerosol mist of nicotine that is inhaled by the user. While some models resemble real cigarettes in looks, others may be like pens or markers. You may also find this product in the shape of cigar or pipe. Let us now take a look at the mode of working of electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are mainly found as long, cylindrical devices with three main parts. They are the mouthpiece or cartridge, a battery unit and a heating element or atomizer. Apart from these, there is a colored LED light that glows, when this cigarette is in use. This LED light resembles the lighted tip in a conventional cigarette.

The cartridge or mouthpiece is like a cylindrical pipe with two open ends, one of which is attached to one side of the atomizer. Apart from holding the nicotine solution to be vaporized, the cartridge serves the purpose of a mouthpiece. The nicotine solution is held in place by an absorbent sponge kept intact with the help of plastic barriers. There are side channels (around the casing with nicotine solution) that allows the nicotine vapor from the atomizer to reach the user's mouth. So, construction of the cartridge is in such a way that the nicotine solution is allowed to reach the atomizer (and not to the mouth of the user), at the same time, the vaporized nicotine reaches the mouth of the user. Both the solution and the vapor are not allowed to mix or flow in opposite direction. The user has to either refill the nicotine solution in the cartridge in regular intervals or replace with a new cartridge.

The atomizer or heating element is that part which is attached to the cartridge on one end and the battery or power unit on the other. It consists of a filament and a wicking metal mesh coil. The nicotine solution is absorbed by the wicking metal mesh coil, which transfers a small amount to the filament, which is a high resistance wire that is heated by the power unit. This results in formation of nicotine vapor. The atomizer has a sensor that can sense air flow. So, as the user takes a drag on the cigarette, the sensor senses the air flow and signals the microprocessor that heats up the filament, which vaporize the solution to nicotine vapor. However the sensor system may not be present in all models of electronic cigarettes. In manual ones, the users have to switch on a button to heat up the filament. In that case, there will be a timer that will cutoff the power to prevent overheating of the filament. The filament may have to be replaced, as it may get accumulated with sediments and become less effective. Nowadays, you may find cartomizers, which are components with both atomizer as well as cartridge.

The heating unit of an electronic cigarette usually contains a lithium-ion rechargeable battery with additional circuitry for lighting the LED at the tip and for recharging through USB connection. This part is the longest one in most of the e-cigarettes. While one end of this unit is attached to the atomizer in the middle, the other end is attached to the LED at the tip.

The above said is only a brief overview about the working of electronic or smokeless cigarettes. The main plus point of these devices is that they do not produce any smoke, as in case of conventional cigarettes. According to health experts, smoke from cigarettes contains more than 4000 harmful chemicals. Apart from nicotine, a psychoactive chemical, cigarette smoke contains around 19 known carcinogens and a whole lot of other harmful chemicals. This smoke is said to cause various diseases, including cancer. Even passive smoking or second-hand smoke is said to cause health problems. That's why e-cigarettes are advantageous, as compared to conventional ones. However, electronic cigarettes too have nicotine, which is the main component in conventional cigarettes. So, are electronic cigarettes really safe? The next paragraph will provide you with some health risks of electronic cigarettes.

Health Risks of Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are said to provide a flavor and physical sensation, that is almost similar to real cigarettes. So, e-cigarettes are touted as a safe alternative to conventional ones, as there is no smoke and this eliminates most of the harmful chemicals too. There is no possibility of second-hand smoke too. It is also said that these cigarettes do not produce the lingering smoke smell and may also save your money. Even though, this product is claimed to be effective as a smoking cessation aid, it is not still approved as one.

FDA and Electronic Cigarettes

With states like New York planning to ban sale of e-cigarettes, speculations are rife about the possible electronic cigarette health risks. Though FDA has not conducted any full-fledged study about the safety of this product, samples collected by its officials, had some quality issues. In a limited study, the FDA officials collected around nineteen types of electronic cigarettes produced by two leading brands. While the nicotine levels in some cartridges were far higher than the standard limits, some other nicotine-free varieties contained this chemical in traces. Another shocking fact is that most of these smokeless cigarettes contained carcinogens called tobacco-specific nitrosamines. One of them contained Diethylene glycol, which is toxic to humans. Though the study was not an elaborate one, this evaluation raised various concerns about the health risks of electronic cigarettes. While the manufacturers claim that the study is not conclusive, the FDA is still concerned over the possible electronic cigarette health risks and the widespread use of this device, by kids and teenagers. The organization is planning certain activities that will help them to address this issue. FDA has also taken steps towards bringing these products under its scanner.

Apart from the FDA, there are various other health care regulatory agencies that have raised concerns over the safety of electronic cigarettes. This includes World Health Organization (WHO), which has strongly mooted for some conclusive evidence (through detailed clinical studies) to prove the safety of this product. According to WHO officials, until this happens, electronic cigarettes cannot be considered as tool for nicotine replacement therapy. They also denied any approval or endorsement from their side, for these products. As per these officials, the main issue is lack of regulatory measures in this field and so, a proper system must be implemented for this purpose. Even issues like leaking cartridges, disposal of used cartridges and accessories must be addressed.

On the other hand, various other studies support the use of electronic cigarettes. They contend that electronic cigarette health risks are really trivial for regular smokers, who use conventional cigarettes. Health risks associated with regular use of conventional cigarettes are far more grave as compared to that of e-cigarettes. For them, e-cigarettes can be a safer alternative, if used properly. According to 'Health Canada', e-cigarettes may cause nicotine poisoning. Long term inhalation of nicotine may constrict arteries, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Nicotine overdose symptoms include high blood pressure, heart diseases, etc. The person may also become prone to stroke, GERD, peptic ulcer disease, etc.

Though, there is no conclusive study to prove electronic cigarette health risks, long-term inhalation of nicotine vapors may cause health issues. In short, it cannot be said that electronic cigarettes are good for health or are safe to use. But, it can be a comparatively safer alternative for those people, who use conventional cigarettes on a regular basis. So, if you are a non-smoker, you don't need this product. For others, who find it difficult to get rid of cigarette smoking, electronic cigarettes can be an alternative. In that case, try to use it sparingly and avoid getting addicted to this product.