What you need to know about electronic cigarettes
I felt as though I walked into the interrogation scene of the movie “Basic Instinct” when my patient asked me, “What are you going to do, charge me with smoking?”
He was “vaping” on an electronic cigarette while he smirked at me, obviously sensing my discomfort and enjoying it. But unlike Sharon Stone, he was a 68-year-old man, dressed in a hospital gown and awaiting surgery. He was dodging the “pesky” restriction of a smoke-free hospital environment and the need for an ashtray. On second thought, I felt as though I was on the Twilight Zone.
Until that day, I knew little about electronic cigarettes, also referred to as e-cigarettes. Could puffing (a.k.a. vaping) on an e-cigarette be the greatest thing to come along since sliced bread? Or are they just a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing?
Dr. Nina’s What You Need To Know About Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigs):
What are e-cigarettes?
If it looks like a duck, but does not function like a duck or smell like a duck, is it a duck? In many ways e-cigarettes mimic traditional cigarettes—shape, the deliverance of nicotine into the lungs, the appearance of smoke. When the user inhales, it triggers a sensor that switches on a small, battery-powered heater. The heater functions to vaporize liquid nicotine in a small cartridge, activate a light at the “lit” end of the device and vaporize propylene glycol in the cartridge (the same stuff that theatrical smoke is made of).
Are e-cigarettes safe?
Safer does not mean safe. Less dangerous does not mean not dangerous. The fact is that e-cigarettes do not contain many toxic compounds found in traditional cigarettes. Additionally, because the vapor quickly dissipates, it does not pose the same harm to bystanders as second-hand smoke. However, e-cigarettes still contain nicotine which is a highly-addictive compound that increases the “vaper’s” heart rate and blood pressure.
Do e-cigarettes help you quit smoking?
Depends on whom you ask. The truth of the matter is that smokers are addicted to nicotine and e-cigarettes can continue to feed into the addiction. Nicotine patches and gum slowly release small amounts into the body. However, e-cigarettes create a freebase form of nicotine that goes quickly from the lungs to the heart and brain. There is the potential of putting people in “limbo” of wanting to quit and having this hope, but allowing them to continue utilizing nicotine and the ritual of smoking (even in places where traditional cigarettes are banned). There are also a number of testimonies of people who have successfully used e-cigs as a bridge to quit smoking.
Can they get kids hooked?
Although e-cigarettes are being marketed as devices to help smokers quit, one of the biggest concerns is their appeal to children. Each day in the U.S., nearly 4,000 people under the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette. Kids may be more inclined to start reaching for e-cigarettes because they come in several yummy flavors. The concern is that we may be creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.
If it is not being regulated it may not be that bad for you, right?
The general perception is that if something is not regulated, it is not harmful. Efforts are currently underway to change this notion. Over the next few years, e-cigarettes will likely be included under the definition of a “tobacco product” and face the same set of rules.
Although the jury is out on the future of e-cigarettes, I have a pretty good idea of what the verdict will be. The marketing for these devices eerily mimics that of traditional cigarettes—freedom, sophistication, rebellion—which appeals to youth.
I applaud those who have utilized e-cigarettes to successfully quit smoking; however, I worry about creating a new generation of vapers.
This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered specific medical advice. Always consult with a qualified medical professional regarding your individual circumstances.
Dr. Nina Radcliff is dedicated to her profession, her patients and her community, at large. She is passionate about sharing wise preventive health measures. Contact her on Facebook, Twitter @drninaradcliff or by email at info@ninaradcliffmd.com.
