Differences between E-Cigarettes and Tobacco Cigarettes - Research Paper Example

Differences between E-Cigarettes and Tobacco Cigarettes The paper examines five articles in order to establish the differences between e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes are battery-powered nicotine delivery devices, which allow users to inhale vaporized nicotine from a device similar in shape to a cigarette (Barbeau et al., 2013). E-cigarettes have mostly been described to be safer than the regular cigarettes in medical literature, and the paper will explore the principle of electronic cigarette operation in comparison with tobacco cigarette. As the biggest danger associated to regular cigarettes is the smoke that is emitted during smoking, e-cigarettes are seem to be effective since they do not burn to produce smoke and the amount of chemicals they emit is a fraction of what the regular cigarette emits (Caponnetto, Russo et al., 2014). Electronic cigarettes are environment friendly since they are free of smoke, produce no ash, and there is no risk of causing a fire. The paper discusses the differences between regular cigarettes and electronic cigarettes and will suggest possible advantages of the electronic cigarettes for human health. Key words: e-cigarettes, vaporizer cigarettes, nicotine addiction Are e-cigarettes a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking? Should they be used as nicotine replacement? Electronic cigarettes have been described as healthy alternatives to tobacco cigarettes by their producers. As tobacco addiction is reported to be one of the leading causes of preventable premature deaths due to numerous cases of cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung and ischemic heart disease, more and more smokers are concerned about their health (Caponnetto et al., 2013). Electronic cigarettes have gained enormous popularity among the smokers who want to get rid of tobacco addiction. Electronic cigarettes, also referred as vaporizer cigarettes, due to their specific construction do not cause such heavy health dangers, and thus they tend to be less harmful than tobacco smoking (Etter, 2010). These cigarettes release minimal water vapor that does not include nicotine, and, therefore, it is considered to be safe for human health. Small batteries usually power the e-cigarette, and the not only healthier but also more convenient for smokers. This paper examines what e-cigarettes are made of and makes the research on the advantages of using e-cigarettes instead of regular cigarettes. It also focuses on the fact that e-cigarettes are healthy and users who want to quit smoking can use them as an efficient replacement of nicotine. Literature review The most frequent smoking-cessation treatment is nicotine replacement therapy (also referred as NTR), which is aimed at addressing nicotine dependence, which includes nicotine gum, nicotine patch, and nicotine nasal spray. However, it is possible that electronic cigarettes, that resemble a traditional cigarette may deliver aerosolised nicotine in a more efficient manner. Moreover, efficacy with NRTs, as with other anti-smoking medication, is modest because it addresses only the physical component of cigarette smoking (i.e. nicotine dependence), and is unlikely to resolve the psychological factors (Caponnetto et al., 2014).One of the greatest advantages of electronic cigarette is their design that resembles real cigarette and the possibility to supply the smoker with needed nicotine. E-cigarettes have a structural look of a normal cigarette although they produce a glowing light at the end when inhaled. The content of nicotine in the e-cigarette differs based on strength. Smoking e-cigarettes is more useful from psychological point of view as it allows smokers to withdraw from the bad habit gradually (Cahn et al, 2011). Electronic cigarettes are tube-like devices that look like much the same as tobacco cigarettes. They have cartridges that are generally replaceable although some can be disposed. Users place the devices on their lips, this activates the heating process, the substances vaporize into a liquid solution, and the vapor is eventually inhaled. The regular e-cigarette consumers state that the cigarette offers a similar effect like that of a tobacco cigarette. However, since there is no combustion involved, there is no emission of smoke. In cases of e-cigarette, the smokers do not inhale tobacco smoke, which is estimated to contain an estimate of 4,000 contaminated chemicals (Barbeau et al., 2013). Using e-cigarette is simple since the action involved is similar to the action of tobacco cigarette smoking. E-cigarette is recommended for the smokers who aim at quitting but find it difficult to refuse from nicotine as well as from psychological habit to smoke in stressful situations at once. E-cigarettes are effective since the individuals who want to keep on smoking can easily do it in public, and it will have no effects on the non-smokers. Even though e-cigarettes have chemicals that are harmful to human health, they are less harmful than normal cigarettes. Among other pluses emphasized by those who have substituted tobacco cigarettes by e-cigarettes is their low environmental harm. E-cigarettes are environmental friendly compared to normal cigarettes. The vapor is not the same as from cigarette smoke, and it is eco-friendly to dispose the e-cigarette cartridge on the ground instead of a cigarette filter. Electronic cigarettes have been concluded to be more effective than tobacco cigarettes not only for the smokers themselves but for the passive smokers also (Etter, 2010). The safety of electronic cigarettes has caught attention of smokers, and they are using them as an alternative of tobacco cigarette due to the fact that they can be regarded as transitional step between smoking tobacco and quitting at all. Smokers using e-cigarettes are supposed to undergo smoking termination referrals because quitting smoking has many negative outcomes compared to the harm it minimizes. E-cigarettes and other harmless devices may become of use in smoking termination as part of the treatment plan (Caponnetto et al., 2013). Smokers can easily quit if they have supportive medication scheme together with psychological support for couple of weeks. The same mechanism of transition is used during nicotine replacement treatment. The vapor produced by the e-cigarette instead of smoke is referred to as vaping. E-cigarettes are available in different flavors and vigor, some comprise of Shisha, which is a fruit based tobacco mixture. Many smokers perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful due to vaporizing effect and even identified themselves as “vapers” instead of “smokers”, which is important step in quitting. (Polosa, et al., 2011). Psychological concept of transition period is used widely in any drug recovery therapy, and since nicotine is a psychoactive drug, the principle can be freely applied to smoking. Katase (2004) considers that electronic nicotine devices are a replica of the common tobacco cigarettes just that they are less harmful as they function through chargeable batteries, and they pass nicotine in form of vapor instead of smoke. Discussion When individuals smoke tobacco, they obtain nicotine and this enables them to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal caused by nicotine. Nicotine is described to have various negative effects when smokers get exposed to tar and gases such as carbon monoxide (Polosa et al., 2011). Replacing the conventional cigarettes with e-cigarette is important and it helps in reducing the effects caused by tobacco cigarettes. Moreover, according to a recent research, it is evident that e-cigarettes are healthy since they have a regulated amount of medicine, and the amount of nicotine is limited (Cahn and Siegel, 2011). The major challenge that develops when establishing the effectiveness of e-cigarette, and how it enables smokers to quit, is the fact that the devices are numerous and they function differently. There are various flavors that have passed the test for food used for oral consumption (Barbeau et al. 2013). However, the lack of solid evidence to support e-cigarette makes it difficult for medical professionals to recommend it as a totally harmless device. Patients utilize e-cigarettes to enable them quit smoking and medical professionals are supposed to respond to that aspect. Manufactures are prohibited to disclose the ingredients of e-cigarette liquids, or the substances that are present in the inhaled vapor (Barbeau et al. 2013). However, health research has been embarked on to ensure that smokers have information on the safety of e-cigarette and its consumption. There are various brands of e-cigarette and the tests are different among the brands. Conclusion In conclusion, we note that many individuals have chosen e-cigarettes, and they are slowly replacing the use of tobacco cigarettes due to a number of reasons. Firstly, these electronic devices deliver a nicotine vapor without the combustion products that are responsible for nearly all of smoking’s harmful effects. Secondly, e-cigarettes do not have a portentous odor as smokers exhale vapor that evaporates instead of smoke. This makes it preferable for many smokers since it is hard to detect the individuals who smoke . Electronic cigarettes in most cases allow to have transitional period between tobacco smoking and full addiction recovery. E-cigarettes are cheaper compared to the tobacco cigarettes are less harmful for environment. Thus, the choice of electronic cigarettes is justified. References Barbeau, A. M., Burda, J., & Siegel, M. (2013). Perceived efficacy of e-cigarettes versus nicotine replacement therapy among successful e-cigarette users: a qualitative approach. Addict SciClinPract, 8(1), 5.http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1940-0640-8-5.pdf Cahn, Z., & Siegel, M. (2011). Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control: A step forward or a repeat of past mistakes&quest. Journal of public health policy, 32(1), 16-31.http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/journal/v32/n1/abs/jphp201041a.html Caponnetto, P., Russo, C., Bruno, C., Alamo, A., Amaradio, M., & Polosa, R. (2013).Electronic cigarette: a possible substitute for cigarette dependence. Retrieved from: http://archest.fsm.it/pne/pdf/79/01/pne79-1-04-caponnetto-polosa.pdf Etter, J.F. (2010). Electronic cigarettes: a survey of users. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 231.Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877672/ Polosa, R., Caponnetto, P., Morjaria, J. B., Papale, G., Campagna, D., & Russo, C. (2011). Effect of an electronic nicotine delivery device (e-Cigarette) on smoking reduction and cessation: a prospective 6-month pilot study. BMC Public Health, 11(1), Retrieved from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/786 Read More