Components and Types of Electronic Cigarettes
- An electronic cigarette consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container for e-liquid.
- E-cigarettes have evolved over time and are classified into generations.
- First-generation e-cigarettes resemble traditional cigarettes and are called cigalikes.
- Second-generation devices are larger and less like traditional cigarettes.
- Third-generation devices include mechanical mods and variable voltage devices.
E-Liquid
- The mixture used in e-cigarettes is called e-liquid.
- E-liquid formulations vary widely.
- A typical e-liquid is composed of propylene glycol and glycerin (95%) and flavorings, nicotine, and other additives (5%).
- The flavorings can be natural, artificial, or organic.
- Over 80 harmful chemicals have been found in e-liquids, including formaldehyde and metallic nanoparticles.
Use and Popularity
- E-cigarette use has rapidly increased since entering the market in 2003.
- In 2020, there were 68 million adult e-cigarette users globally, compared to 1.1 billion cigarette smokers.
- E-cigarette use is highest in China, the US, and Europe.
- Many users vape to quit smoking or as a recreational activity.
- E-cigarettes are believed to be safer than smoking and offer a wide choice of flavors.
- E-cigarette use has been attributed to targeted marketing, lower cost compared to cigarettes, and better safety profile.
- The number of e-cigarette users increased to 82 million in 2021.
- China has the highest number of e-cigarette users.
- E-cigarette use is popular in the US and Europe.
- E-cigarettes are used by people trying to quit smoking and those looking for alternatives to cigarettes.
Health Effects and Adverse Effects
- The health risks of e-cigarettes are not known for certain, but the risk of serious adverse events is thought to be low.
- E-cigarettes are likely safer than combusted tobacco products.
- E-cigarette use is associated with increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
- Laboratory tests suggest that e-cigarettes are likely to be far less harmful than combustible tobacco cigarettes.
- Common adverse effects of e-cigarettes include abdominal pain, headache, blurry vision, throat and mouth irritation, vomiting, nausea, and coughing.
- Nicotine is addictive and harmful to fetuses, children, and young people.
- An outbreak of severe vaping lung illness in the US was strongly linked to vitamin E acetate.
- E-cigarettes produce similar levels of particulates to tobacco cigarettes.
- Limited evidence shows adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects in humans, calling for more long-term studies.
Smoking Cessation, Safety, and Controversies
- Limited evidence suggests that e-cigarettes help people quit smoking in clinical settings.
- Outside clinical settings, vaping does not greatly change the odds of quitting smoking.
- E-cigarette use may decrease the number of cigarettes smoked.
- There is no consensus on the risks of e-cigarette use.
- There is little data about their safety, and a considerable variety of liquids are used as carriers.
- Reviews of the safety of e-cigarettes have reached different conclusions.
- Regulated US FDA products such as nicotine inhalers may be safer than e-cigarettes.
- E-cigarettes are generally seen as safer than combusted tobacco products.
- Evidence to substantiate the potential of vaping to lower tobacco-related death and disease is unknown.
- The health benefits of reducing cigarette use while vaping is unclear.
- E-cigarettes could have an influential role in tobacco harm reduction.
- Tobacco harm reduction has been a controversial area of tobacco control.
- Health advocates have been cautious about endorsing e-cigarettes as a harm reduction method.
- The public health community remains divided on the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
- Dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes may increase the risk of addiction and hinder quitting.
- The promotion of vaping as a harm reduction aid is considered premature.
Electronic cigarette Data Sources
Reference | URL |
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Glossary | https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/electronic-cigarette |
Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_cigarette |
Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189511 |
Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/02vlckk |