Everything You Need to Know About E-Cigarettes to Quit Smoking...

by Sophie Davidson
(Nottingham)

More and more people are taking up the use of e-cigarettes. This rise in ‘vaping’ has thrown up many questions concerning e-cigarettes. Are they safe? Do they have long-term side effects? Do they help you quit smoking? The answers to these questions and ones like them are unclear right now since the trend for vaping is still in its infancy. But with research still being carried out to find the answers to those first two questions, the third point is becoming a little less foggy.

A report in The Guardian highlights two 2015 research papers that recommend smokers use e-cigarettes every day if they are keen to give up cigarettes. They are considered better as the nicotine contained in the e-liquid cartridge, such as Phoenix e-liquid or similar, can still be absorbed by the vaper without many of the toxins found in cigarettes.

Here we address some of the most common questions surrounding how e-cigarettes actually work and their benefits...

QUESTION:

Is vaping really healthier than smoking tobacco cigarettes?

ANSWER:

A review of e-cigarette use carried out by Public Health England found that vaping is around 95 per cent less harmful than smoking cigarettes. And while the long-term effects of vaping are yet to be determined, they are expected to become medically regulated in 2016, which should mean e-cigarettes can be prescribed as a stop-smoking aid via the NHS. It is already the most popular quitting aid in England according to the Public Health England research finds.

QUESTION:

What are the options for e-cigarettes?

ANSWER:

There are two main kinds of e-cigarettes; disposable and rechargeable. The former can be picked up in lots of convenience stores and petrol stations, but don’t offer the customisation that rechargeable e-cigarettes do. Many starter kits give you the three main components of an e-cigarette - the e-liquid cartridge, vaporiser and battery - which can then be interchanged to suit your tastes.

For instance, you might prefer a smaller nicotine hit over a longer period of time, in which case you’d insert a less potent e-liquid and a battery with a longer charge. People generally find that rechargeable e-cigarette kits give a better quality taste and vaping experience - just as a fountain pen feels more pleasurable to write with than a disposable biro.

QUESTION:

What is the difference between using e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes?

ANSWER:

Many vapers report that they feel fresher and healthier since swapping cigarettes for electronic versions as they are only inhaling water vapour which carries nicotine and a flavourant. There’s no burning paper, glue, tobacco or assorted chemicals to contend with. And that trademark smoker’s smell of old smoke is absent too.

QUESTION:

How much do e-cigarettes cost?

ANSWER:

A starter kit will cost around £30 to £40 ($46 U.S.). After that, each replaceable e-liquid cartridge will cost around £5 - about £3.50 less than a pack of 20 cigarettes. And each e-liquid cartridge will last about as long as 20 cigarettes.

Of course, you can expect to pay a little more if you experiment with flavours, nicotine potency and batteries, not to mention the look and shape of your e-cigarette. But on the whole, vaping is definitely cheaper and healthier than cigarette smoking.


All the best to you!
Sophie Davidson.