A patient came into my office with an unusual item – an E-Cigarette.  He puffed on the device. It left no odor in the room or on his breath and it gave him what he wanted – a drag of nicotine.  I thought it was very cool actually and inquired about it.  He gave me some information. I usually never write stories about un-healthy items, but this seemed like an unusual topic…trying to quit…So here goes and thanks in advance for seeing the benefit of the article!

How many times have you said to yourself, “I’m going to do it this time.” You’ve tried Nicorette. You used the Patch. Hypno-therapy didn’t work either. Cold turkey just made you irritable enough to rip the arms off of loved ones and the hunger pains never went away.  Here’s what could just be a last resort to some.

An E-Cigarette, or electronic cigarette, is an alternative to smoked tobacco products. It can replace cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Also known as a personal vaporizer, it is a battery-powered device used to give measured doses of nicotine by inhaling a vaporized solution. The e-cigarette also gives the feeling of smoking a cigarette physically. The product is smoke and ash free and the smoker is not inhaling the tar and other carcinogens that are potentially life-threatening.

Originally developed in China in 2003, the e-cigarette often resembles the cigarette itself, but the “pen-style” design is also very popular. They come in both disposable and re-usable forms.

Regardless of design, each product has virtually the same components. The mouthpiece or “cartridge” is a plastic piece that attaches to the end of the product. The nicotine solution is placed inside this piece. Depending on the type of product purchased, when the solution is gone, it can either be re-filled or replaced.

The heating element or “atomizer” heats the nicotine to a vapor so that it can be inhaled. Most e-cigarettes use lithium-ion batteries. The length of time the battery can last varies due to the many variables involved, including the style of device, amount of nicotine and how much it is used. As with any battery operated device, be prepared to have some extra batteries on hand. Chargers for these batteries can be for wall outlets, car lighters and even USB for your PC.

The nicotine solution itself comes in various “flavors” and “strengths.” Flavors can be anything from tobacco and menthol to chocolate and coffee. The strength refers to amount of nicotine in the solution. These solutions go from nicotine-free to high doses that compare to cigarettes themselves.

The price of an e-cigarette has a broad spectrum based on company and design. A quick scan shows prices anywhere from $45-$300. The cartridges are not as expensive as other tobacco products, but also not nearly as available. You can purchase cigarettes just about anywhere, but these cartridges can only be found online and in some smoke shops. Like cigarettes, you must be 18 to purchase the product.

The major concern with using an e-cigarette as a substitute for actual tobacco products is the lack of data. The FDA issued a press release in July 2009 discouraging the use of these products because they may be “marketed to young people and lack appropriate health warnings.” The World Health Organization stated in September 2008 that the e-cigarette is not a legitimate smoking cessation aid. While the use of these products is unrestricted in both the U.S. & UK, there are many other countries where they are forbidden.

Earlier this year, the Electronic Cigarette Association was founded to speak on behalf of the industry and in response to the FDA and other health concerns. Headquartered in Washington D.C., the organization is led by former congressman Matt Salmon.

It is obvious this is very early in the game for the e-cigarette. The producers and manufacturers will continue to refine their product, the health organizations will be right there to make sure it is done correctly. This may not be the right thing for all smokers desiring to quit to use, but for others, it may just be the only thing left. Please make sure you do your research and understand what you are getting yourself into before you decide to use this method of smoking cessation.  On the other hand, smoking itself is deleterious to your health…can this really be that much worse?  I highly doubt it.

For further information about this topic, please contact Dr. Lynn Kerew directly at drlynn@lynnkerew.com or visit her website at http://www.lynnkerew.com.