Test shows that electronic cigarettes reduce a smokers exposure to dangerous chemicals

A detailed comparison test has shown that electronic cigarettes reduce a smokers exposure to dangerous chemicals

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The results are in, and the first comparison test between the level of emitted compounds by electronic cigarettes as opposed to traditional tobacco cigarettes confirms that electronic cigarettes reduce a smokers exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Electronic cigarettes of good quality offer a real smoking experience without all the negative attributes that are commonly associated with smoking traditional cigarettes such as tar, ash and odor.

By using electronic cigarettes a smoker doesn’t have to worry about the harmful effects traditional cigarettes give off like bad breath and yellow teeth. In addition to that a smoker no longer has to stand outside in the rain and, theoretically, vaping is legal on trains, coaches, planes, and elsewhere.

I did say theoretically because some airlines still appear not to understand that what looks like smoke with an e-cigarette is not smoke but more-or-less harmless vapor and thus no health hazards and no secondary smoke issue.

EverSmoke commented on the study by saying “We are thrilled to continue to see scientific evidence showing why it is important for individuals to learn about e-cigs and how they are the better smoking choice. We pride ourselves on the fact that our cartridges produce maximum vapor and a real smoking experience for our customers. We hope to change many more lives with our innovative product.”

Dr. Michael Siegel, professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University, broke down the results of the study and published them on his Tobacco Analysis blog. The results are available online for purchase and are scheduled to appear in Indoor Air. Siegel reported only six volatile organic compounds were seen in electronic cigarette vapor, while 20 organic compounds were found in tobacco smoke.

Dr. Siegel wrote, “This study confirms that electronic cigarette use greatly reduces the user's exposure to a wide range of chemicals in tobacco smoke. The few chemicals for which exposure remains are at levels well below that of cigarette smoking."

Personally, I took up vaping – as e-smoking is called – not because I wanted to give up (I had for 15 years) but because I found, due to a couple of trials for reviews with different brands of e-cigarettes, that it reduced my asthma attacks, which began after I gave up smoking.

Having said the above please note that I do not wish to attach any health benefits to vaping, as the jury might still be out on this.

On the other hand, I would love to know what the other volatile compounds are that still remain in the vapor from the electronic cigarettes just so one knows what's what, so to speak.

© 2012

Harm Reduction Journal Touts Benefits of Electronic Cigarettes

Square highlights a recent article in the Harm Reduction Journal noted that e-cigarettes contain far fewer harmful chemicals than regular cigarettes, and may suppress smokers’ cravings.

Not everyone is able to, or wants to, quit smoking, even though they know they should for health reasons

Los Angeles, CA : Despite the well-known health risks of smoking cigarettes, many smokers have great difficulty quitting smoking for good. In recognition of the fact that they can’t get everyone to quit, public health officials are exploring various harm reduction techniques. The Harm Reduction Journal recently published findings on tobacco harm reduction, noting that electronic cigarettes may be a beneficial alternative to regular cigarettes because they do not contain the thousands of chemicals found in cigarette smoke, deliver lower levels of nicotine, and replicate the hand-to-mouth ritual that fulfills smokers’ cravings. Square, a maker of disposable electronic cigarettes, outlines the findings.

“Not everyone is able to, or wants to, quit smoking, even though they know they should for health reasons,” explains Mike Ahmad of PhD Marketing, which represents Square. “As this study shows e-cigarettes can be a very helpful way for smokers to reduce harm to their health while still enjoying the ritual of smoking.”

The article, written by Brad Rodu, a professor of medicine at University of Louisville, surveys available evidence about tobacco harm reduction. The article points out that while regular cigarettes may contain thousands of harmful chemicals, “e-cigarettes produce a vapor consisting primarily of water, propylene glycol, nicotine and flavorings. The ingredients themselves do not pose any significant health risks.”

The article explores various studies comparing nicotine delivery, which tend to find that e-cigarettes deliver less nicotine than regular cigarettes. Despite lower levels of nicotine, many smokers report that e-cigs reduce their cravings. “E-cigarette use emulates successfully the cigarette handling rituals and cues of cigarette smoking, which produces suppression of craving and withdrawal that is not entirely attributable to nicotine delivery,” notes the article.

Researchers quoted in the article have proposed long-term e-cigarette use as a smoking alternative for smokers who cannot or will not quit smoking entirely.

Square has heard many testimonials from their satisfied customers that support the findings of the harm reduction article.

“I have been a die hard pack a day smoker for 20+ years,” says Mel, a Square customer. “I was able to eliminate smoking harmful chemical cigarettes the same day. Using the Square is so similar to smoking a real cigarette and it really works to satisfy your cravings for nicotine.”

Square’s electronic cigarettes offer smokers an inexpensive alternative to regular cigarettes or rechargeable e-cigs. The product—which lasts about the same as two packs of cigarettes, but is priced like a single pack—does not generate second hand smoke, tar, or yellow teeth. Square is now available at select bars, restaurants, movie theaters, gas stations, and even convenience

stores such as Chevron Gas Stations.

WARNING: Square 82 electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Square 82 products are not a smoking cessation product, and have not been tested as such. The product and the statement made within have not been evaluated by the US FDA. Square products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition, disorder, disease, or physical or mental condition. Keep out of reach of children.

Square Smoke does not endorse the use of e-cigarettes or e-cigarette products by minors and pregnant or nursing women. Those with pre-existing health conditions should consult with their doctor prior to using any e-cigarette.

This press release is presented for your information only.

Full Disclosure Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article.

This article is for your information only and the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW does not (necessarily) approve, endorse or recommend the product, service or company mentioned.

VAPESTICK MAX E-Cigarette – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The VAPESTICK® MAX has, by far, been the biggest E-Cigarette that I have so far tested and this has given me the best experience of vaping (e-smoking) as yet.

The VAPESTICK® MAX must be the ultimate VAPESTICK® e-cigarette in every way. It has definitely the most vapor production and thus has one of the biggest throat-hit of any E-cigarette. It has, probably, the longest battery life, the largest cartridges containing even more e-liquid, all combine to deliver a truly remarkable and unmatched vaping experience.

Experienced vapers also will enjoy the sense of control that is provided by the manual button that is depressed each time you inhale. The MAX also looks good in all of its 3 color options; black, white or chrome, all coming with the VAPESTICK® signature blue LED light, both at the tip and also inside that manual button. If you are looking for the best overall vaping experience, then the VAPESTICK® MAX is the clear choice.

Considering the price, the MAX Starter Kits ship with an unusually high level of quality contents. In the box you will find ten two high quality atomizer, as bottle of ten assorted Refill Cartridges (giving the equivalent smoke time of 200-250 cigarettes), two rechargeable Batteries, a USB charger and a Wall charger, a ‘V Card’, a Carry Pouch and User Manual.

There is plenty of choice when it comes to nicotine strengths flavors, and they all come inside the Starter Kit.

Flavors include VAPESTICK® Original, Tobacco, Apple and Menthol, and nicotine strengths range from 0%, to Low (1.1%), to Medium (1.8%) up to High (2.4%).

A bottle of 10 refills costs £7.99. One refill delivers the equivalent smoke-time as you would get from approximately 25 cigarettes (which would cost you arund £8.50 in the UK at the time of writing and depending on brand), which makes the VAPESTICK® MAX a lot less expensive than normal cigarettes. And, considering the lack of actual burning, and thus fewer harmful chemicals, much better for you and those around you, including the environment, than ordinary cigarettes.

The VAPESTICK® Refills Subscription service means you can choose your preferred strength and flavor and know that once a fortnight (or month) your favorite refills will arrive on your doorstep. You also get one bottle of refills for free with the first delivery.

The VAPESTICK® MAX comes with a 30 days no-hassle Returns Policy, so if anything at all is wrong with your kit, you can choose either replacement or a full refund.

The only thing that I am a little disappointed about is that the huge battery only last some 6-8 weeks, according to the manufacturer, in comparison to other that have a lifespan of 6-8 months before needing to be replaced, and than at a lower cost than those of Vapestick.

However, having gotten feedback from Michael at VAPESTICK with regards to this I now understand where they are coming from in how they phrase things. They are on the cautious side as to the lifespan rather than giving estimates of lifespans that then do not materialize. Or, as Michael put it: “We are conscious of maintaining a general policy of ‘under-promising’ and ‘over-delivering’ as opposed to the other way round! For this reason, we always advise customers that a battery will typically need replacing every 8 to 10 weeks (or after approximately 300 charging cycles). In reality, the battery will often continue working beyond that time, but it will soon start to hold less and less charge, so will need recharging more and more often, until eventually it will not hold enough for even a few puffs.”

I love that kind of honesty and, could I say, integrity.

As an ex-smoker, now having been using a couple of different brands of E-cigarettes, I may just be getting addicted to the nicotine again – shame on me – but, and here comes the strange bit, having suffered since having given up smoking some ten plus years ago with asthma-style cough attacks in the morning these seem to have reduced since using nicotine inhalers in the form of E-cigarettes.

I would ask my readers not to misunderstand me; I am not trying to attribute and attach any health benefits to neither the VAPESTICK® MAX nor any other E-cigarette. It is just something that has happened with me.

One of the things that I do like about E-Cigarettes, and especially the VAPESTICK® MAX, is the control and the fact that you do not, actually, have a burning cigarette but a device that you can safely put away between uses and use as often or as little as you like while having it handy to use as and when you like.

The flavors for the VAPESTICK are great and so is the taste. Far better than that of others I have tried and reviewed. The action of the use of the VAPESTICK® MAX can, to a degree, be compared to that of a Hooka pipe, often referred to as a Sheesha, at least in the way that I, personally, hold the VAPESTICK® MAX.

My favorite flavor is the VAPESTICK® Original as far as taste is concerned, followed by the tobacco and the apple ones, and apple probably coming before the tobacco flavor.

The MAX must be the ultimate VAPESTICK® e-cigarette in every way. Perfect for heavy smokers and/or experienced vapers. The manual button allows total user control and the vapor production is very large, even at small drags. With consistent delivery coupled with that monster battery giving up to 36 hours vape-time, there is no surprise that users love the MAX!

My personal tip: Go for the Black MAX – almost cigar-like, but far cooler!

© 2011

Disclosure & Disclaimer Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article, with the exception of the right to retain the sample provided.

E-Lites Electronic Cigarettes – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Electronic cigarettes have come rather a long way since I encountered them first a couple of years back on a trade show. They were then made up of up to four separate components that had to be put together. Now we are down to just two, which makes using electronic cigarettes much less of a hassle and they are also no longer messy in assembly.

Considering that since the ban on smoking in the workplace lots of time is lost to businesses through smoking breaks which have to be now taken outside and, in some cases, a certain distance away from the building it might be a thought for places of work to make available to smokers starter packs of electronic cigarettes, such as E-Lites.

Another great advantage with regards to electronic cigarettes is that you do not need an ashtray and that there is nothing alight that might burn you or something else. You can just put the cigarette down between puffs or even put it in your pocket without having to worry. No need, thus, to smoke it to the end and by putting it down it also wont burn away without you using it. This is a definite win-win situation on all counts.

So, as this is a Green Journal the question that you will be asking is “but what are the environmental benefits of electronic cigarettes.”

While they are an electronic product and thus the Wee recycling regulations apply as well as those for recycling batteries there is no smoke, no ash and also no cigarette butts.

So, that means there is no air pollution and also no litter, whether in the form of ash or the worst kind in the form of those butts.

E-Lites contain no tobacco whatsoever (nor tar), which is what makes them so much healthier. And, as there is no burning taking place no other by-products and no carbon monoxide.

All they contain is a solution of pure pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, purified water and a small amount of flavouring to replicate the taste of tobacco.

This solution is then drawn into an atomising chamber upon inhalation and converted into a vapour which is similar to steam.

Nicotine is what provides the familiar 'buzz' but is about as safe as caffeine really. In other words, E-Lites are not dissimilar to nicotine patches or gum - but much easier and much more pleasurable to use. The idea is you can continue smoking, in a way that's healthier, cheaper, unrestricted and far less harmful in every respect.

The company nor myself will ever say, I should think, that there is no harm in the use of nicotine. Though, having said that, nicotine is, in fact, used in the treatment of some medical conditions. Maybe in the not so distant future science will suddenly even discover that nicotine is good for us, in the same way as there seem to be so many health benefits now attached to coffee and caffeine where as before they claimed that coffee (and tea) was bad for us.

The company, E-Lites, also operates a recycling scheme that allows customers to return used cartridges in return for discounts on their next purchases. Therefore you don't even have to worry as to how and where to dispose of them.

I could say that I was and am E-Lited with those E-Lites electronic cigarettes but that would be somewhat of a silly play on words. However, the truth is that I do like them and that very much.

For more information please consult the company's website

© 2011