E Cigarette - A healthier option!

31st May is "World No Tobacco Day" and hence keeping the day in mind I write this article. Recently a friend of mine who was trying to give up on smoking told me that he has bought an e-cigarette or an electronic cigarette. When I asked him what he meant he explained that it looks like a cigarette, tastes like a cigarette but it doesnot contain any tobacco. As he took a puff of it I could see the smoke come out of his mouth. He again told me that don't worry thats just vapor! Well the first thing that made me feel good was that sometimes although we don't smoke we become passive smokers, but with this I was safe although in near vicinity of a smoker.

Then my curious mind wanted to know more about how it works. So my friend actually opened the cigarette and showed me the three components - the Cartridge, the atomizer and the power supply.The cartridge’s like a cigarette’s butt that usually holds the liquid that is to be vaporized. The atomizer is the heating element and vaporizes the liquid and all e- cigarettes works on a power supply from a chargeable plug, USB drive or from batteries. As the e-cigarette is smoked a microprocessor activates an orange LEB at the tip to simulate burning.

E-cigs are used as a smoking substitute or a smoking cessation aid to help smokers quit. Bu there were also concerns it could be marketed to younger people. The nicotine vapors in these e-cigarettes are far lesser than normal cigarettes. Non nicotine cartrideges are also available. To overcome addiction some people start with cartridges containing 16mg nicotine levels, move to 8mg nicotine and then slowly to non nicotine cartridges. In India the e-cigarette can be bought online or at select shops. Each cartridge is equivalent to 50-80 traditional cigarettes. It is priced between Rs 1000 - Rs 1500.

Now I am not sure how soon my friend with the help of the e-cigarette gives up on smoking, but I am sure its worth a try for all the smokers considering the severe health hazard smoking poses. Please say no to smoking!!!