Tobacco smoking continues to lead when compared with vaping. Various data shows that most users are youths who start smoking in their 20s without knowing the dangers they are putting themselves into. Although there are numerous campaigns by world health officials to quit, most tobacco users are still reluctant.
E-cigarettes are commonly promoted as a healthier alternative or an option that can help one quit smoking tobacco. So, how can this be made an attractive package for reluctant smokers? This detailed article will help you understand this.
A Peek at Tobacco in Cigarettes
Cigarettes are traditionally mainly made of crushed or rolled tobacco. Therefore, they contain the entire amount of nicotine in the specific tobacco that is used. Tobacco plant contains both nicotine, which is very addictive, and hundreds of other addictive and harmful products. Common other harmful ingredients include tar, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, and carcinogens, among others.
According to the European Commission website, tobacco is posing a great risk, causing over 700,000 deaths a year in Europe alone. About half of these people suffer premature death. Shockingly, the website also shows that about 26% of the population in Europe smokes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) data on their website shows that about 22.3% of the world population smokes. It also shows that tobacco can kill about half of its users if they do not quit.
These figures are shocking, which is why health experts have been advocating that people should quit smoking. But what if we tell you that there is a healthier alternative with fewer health impacts: the use of e-cigarettes? In fact, it can really help people who are in the process of cigarette smoking.
Trends in Cigarette Smoking
There are many trends that are evident in tobacco use around the world. The common trend is that tobacco is used as a cigarette. This is rolled dry tobacco with a filter at the end. The WHO website also shows that about 80% of tobacco users live in low and middle-income countries.
Research by the American Lung Association shows that although cigarette use is still high, the preference is falling with time. The data shows that people smoking more than 24 cigarettes a day has drastically fallen.
On the other hand, the use of electronic cigarettes has been increasing since 2011. This is mostly seen in youngsters, including college and university students. Although this is a healthier alternative, according to many health experts, the adoption is still not very good.
E-Cigarettes At a Glance
What are e-cigarettes? Over a decade ago, the Chinese came up with e-cigarettes. These are digital-era devices that use electric energy to ignite and burn e-liquid containing various ingredients such as controlled levels of nicotine, VG or PG (vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol), flavors, and others. People who are in the process of quitting smoking can use e-cigarettes with zero nicotine.
Although most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is addictive, many health experts agree that the health risks associated with vaping are less severe compared to tobacco cigarette use. This is mainly because the e-juice ingredients are highly regulated and tend to have no ingredients contained in tobacco.
E-cigarettes such as JUULs are the most commonly used by many youths across the world, with many of them vaping daily. Adults prefer more sophisticated e-cigarettes such as e-pipe and vape mods with more settings and a variable experience.
Why E-Cigarettes Are Becoming Popular
E-cigarettes are becoming more popular by the day. There are many reasons why vape devices are gaining popularity among youths and adults, especially those who intend to quit smoking.
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Perceived health benefits – Many health experts and users perceive e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking. Both PG and VG, which are used as the base for e-cigs, are food-grade products. The other main ingredients in the e-cigarettes are the flavors, which also come from food-grade products. The main concern, according to health experts across the world, is the presence of nicotine in the e-juice. However, we will focus more on this issue to understand it better.
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Variety of flavors – E-juice comes in a variety of flavors such as fruity, candy, menthol, original tobacco, and many others. This is one reason why many people prefer vaping since they can enjoy the flavor they want. E-cigarettes from reliable manufacturers and sellers such as ePuffer have a variety of flavors to suit different tastes.
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Smoking cessation aid – Many people across the world have used e-cigarettes as a tool to stop smoking and it has worked. Experts say that it works by helping people to manage nicotine intake and cravings due to the absence of tar. One can use the amount of nicotine they want from strong to zero. For people who are in therapy, it is easy to reduce the nicotine levels gradually until there is no craving and one can now completely cut off the nicotine. This is technically not possible with tobacco products such as cigarettes.
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Convenience – One of the greatest reasons why e-cigarettes are becoming popular is the convenience they bring. First, they produce vapor as opposed to smoke, which does not leave a strong odor behind. The device is also electronic and comes with rechargeable batteries and refillable cartridges. Today, e-cigarettes are conveniently accessed through web shops and other outlets. Lastly, these devices are discreet and more socially acceptable than traditional cigarettes.
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Saves money – One good thing about e-cigs is that they save a lot of money in the long run. Data shows that people who smoke regularly spend more money than people who vape because they are addicted to smoking and because e-cigarettes are more cost-effective.
Health Benefits of Using E-Cigarettes
People who are reluctant to quit smoking should hear this about e-cigarettes. They are a healthier alternative to smoking, although this does not make them completely safe. As mentioned, they can be used as a smoking cessation aid. But there are more to this, so here are a few things to know that may convince you that e-cigs are better.
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Customizable nicotine level – Nicotine is the main killer ingredient in tobacco. It is delivered in full when people smoke because it cannot be separated from the leaves. However, there is good news, and perhaps this is what many people want to hear: e-cigarettes come with customizable nicotine levels. E-juice, which is used in vape cigarettes, contains many ingredients, including nicotine, which is added in the intended amounts. Nicotine typically comes in strong, mild, or zero levels. With this option, it is easy to manage your cessation program until you are well.
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Fewer harmful ingredients – On one side, cigarettes have hundreds of harmful ingredients such as nicotine, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and others. On the other hand, e-cigarettes have fewer of these ingredients. Health experts say that e-cigarettes cause less harm as compared to cigarettes. The secondary smoke produced by e-cigs is less harmful as compared to that of cigarettes, reducing harm even to other people.
The Role of E-Cigarettes in Quitting Smoking
There are several studies on whether or not e-cigarettes play a role in people who are in the process of quitting smoking. People who are reluctant to quit smoking have a lot to learn. E-cigarettes are thought to help people stop smoking in the following ways:
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Regulating nicotine levels – As mentioned, vaping plays a vital role when someone is trying to quit smoking. Research done by Oxford Population Health shows that e-cigs are a great alternative. E-juice comes with different levels of nicotine so that one can choose what they want. Therefore, people who have started the journey to quit smoking can start with strong levels to suit their current craving and reduce the levels gradually to get rid of their craving. In the end, it is possible to smoke zero-nicotine e-cigarettes just for fun or even quit altogether.
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Vaping tar-free nicotine – Tar is a main ingredient in tobacco, and it causes addiction. But nicotine in e-juice is free of tar. Therefore, the nicotine in vapes is less addictive compared to that in cigarettes. After all, there are many other ingredients in the e-juice, accounting for the overall volume of the juice.
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Enjoyable flavors – People use e-cigarettes to enjoy the flavors rather than satisfy their cravings. This is why one can vape different flavors in one day. According to research, many people who are reluctant to quit smoking can find an alternative to their cigarettes to enjoy. Refillable cigarettes are the best in such a case. Vape devices with spare refillable pods can also work wonders for people who want to experiment with different flavors.
E-Cigarette Policies Around the World
E-cigarettes have policies and regulations that are almost the same as those of tobacco cigarettes. However, many governments have eased their policies because of the fewer health implications associated with e-cigarettes.
In the US, the FDA is still responsible for regulating e-cigarettes. They do not allow their sale to minors and requires the health warning information to be included. This is unlike tobacco products, which come with a lot of restrictions. This should give anyone who is reluctant a reason to consider vaping as opposed to smoking.
The European Union also regulates the production, sale, and use of e-cigarettes in Europe. It sets standards for ingredients and controls advertisements to protect consumers from unnecessary influence. These are good reasons why anyone would consider switching from cigarettes to smoking.
Canada follows suit by regulating the manufacturing, sales, and consumption of e-cigarettes. This sets clear guidelines for users who feel protected, especially because the ingredients are highly regulated. There are more plans to regulate flavors and nicotine concentration so that users can have a better experience and avoid unwanted health impacts.
The UK also openly supported the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. The government through Public Health England (PHE) has published many reports to show that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to smoking. This is great news for anyone who is struggling with cigarette smoking. The UK is a great voice to tell the entire world how to save lives with e-cigarettes.
In China, which is the largest producer of e-cigarettes, the government has remained reluctant to regulate the e-cigarettes. However, many people can be seen vaping even in various public places, indicating a silent support for their use. China is also known for tobacco production and a shift towards e-cigarettes is a sign that these devices have benefits.
Other parts of the world have various regulations and guidelines that also show that vaping is better than smoking. The main concern is nicotine, which is carefully regulated.
Conclusion
There is a lot to digest in this article. But one thing is clear: e-cigarettes play a pivotal role in helping people quit smoking. Their use has gained popularity because of the fewer health issues associated with them, and the fact that policies and regulations support their use. From the above insights, anyone who has been struggling to quit smoking can try e-cigarettes with regulated nicotine and enjoy the incredible results.
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