Electronic cigarettes, or e-Cigs as they are fondly referred to, are said to be yet another replacement for the conventional tobacco-based nicotine sticks. Billed as a tobacco-free alternative to cigarettes, advocates of the electronic cigarette contend that it is ideal for those trying to conquer their nicotine addiction. If you are considering changing from cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, first acquaint yourself with the basic facts about the device. The electronic cigarette, which has been around since 2009, is a multi-part electronic device made to look like the real thing. The mouth piece, or cartridge, is a common component in most models, and it looks like a filter that's found in many of today's cigarette brands. Other parts are an atomizer, a battery and an LED, that together provide power and heat to the liquid filled cartridge, and lights up the tip of the e-cigarette, to look like a real lit cigarette.

What differentiates an electronic cigarette from a real one, is that e-cig heats up a liquid and turn it into vapour, which is then inhaled by the consumer. When smokers exhale the misty aerosol, often in various flavors, it gives an illusion of smoking a conventional cigarette. Electronic cigarettes are the future with them you can smoke basically anywhere, inside, outside in an airplane even every place where smoking is banned so get a
sähkötupakka now.This means there is no second-hand smoke problem to deal with, no tobacco to burn, and no strong odor to deal with. All of this seems a great incentive to switch to electronic cigarettes, isn't it? It could even be something non-smokers might be tempted to try! And there lies a major concern, that regulators and health care professionals alike have, about electronic cigarettes. The irresistibly 'cool' nature of the e-cig may mean non-smokers and kids could now be attracted to use this yet untested product.

Being a fairly new invention, the health impacts of adopting these devices is not fully understood. There are a number of studies that have been conducted, and many more are still in progress. However, data points are relatively scarce to make an informed pronouncement about electronic cigarettes. In mid-2009, a study conducted on a sample of e-cigs by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), found some cancer causing substances, common also to tobacco, in the cartridges of the devices. The FDA study also spotted discrepancies between labeled levels of nicotine, in the liquid, and actual levels found during testing.

In addition, concerns were flagged about the actual amount of nicotine inhaled when puffing on the electronic cigarette. As governments are generally wary about anything related to smoking, it should surprise no one that they are not endorsing the e-cigarette. Like the American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP), Health Canada (Canada's 'Ministry of Health'), has warned consumers over use of e-cigarettes, mainly because of lack of reliable statistical data. It is just too early to deliver a verdict, so best to be cautious. The case of a Florida man, who received serious facial injuries while smoking an e-cigarette, is cause enough for public health officials to act cautiously. All the more reasons for consumers to exercise greater amounts of caution before using any new product, including electronic cigarettes.