The Truth About Electronic Cigarettes

My classmate S. Singh posted a commentary titled, Keep e-cigs from being villianized inTexas, on his blog, lonestartxgov.blogspot.com.  In this commentary he talks about how electronic cigarettes are being heavily criticized here in Texas.  I strongly agree with Singh because I have family members who have quit smoking using this device.

The concept is heavily criticized mainly because of lack of knowledge.  Many people don’t understand how these devices work, and jump to conclusions because of the name. Singh mentions that regular cigarettes have over 4000 harmful, cancer causing chemicals that e-cigs do not.  Electronic cigarettes work by vaporizing nicotine, the product that satisfies a smokers craving for cigarettes. It works similarly to nicotine patches, or gum, but gives the user the feeling of smoking an actual cigarette by inhaling and exhaling the vapor.  According to Medical News Today, people who use electronic cigarettes are 60% more likely to succeed, compared to people who use willpower or nicotine replacement therapies. 

Many critics are against e-cigs because they assume that minors will use them as a gateway to traditional tobacco products.  Singh states that there are already restrictions in place to prevent their sale to people under the age of 18. Electronic cigarettes are specifically made to be a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes.  Any reputable brand of e-cig will advertise this, and does not target a younger audience like cigarette companies used to do back in the day. 

Singh also talks about an article by the New York Post titled, “E-cigs could save hundredsof millions of lives: scientists.” In this article, they say that 53 leading scientists have warned the World Health Organization to not classify e-cigs as tobacco product “as it could jeopardize a major opportunity to slash disease and deaths caused by smoking.”  They also state that e-cigs are “among the most significant health innovations of the 21^st century.” 

I personally have never smoked a cigarette, but I completely agree with S. Singh. I believe that electronic cigarettes are something that will revolutionize the industry, and save millions of lives in the process.