Mobile Devices, PDAs, Phones and Gadgets

The e-cigarette initially launched in 2003 was developed by the SBT Co. Ltd. based in Beijing, China. Ruyan stepped in following the product’s launch to provide additional development of the technology and proceed to introduce electronic cigarettes to the European market in 2006. Promotions in Europe called e-cigarettes “Electro fags”. It was clear the public was ready for e-cigarettes.

The first electronic smokes were not envisioned as a replacement for tobacco product. The concept was to provide a nicotine delivery system that smokers could use to soothe their need for a “fix” when they were in situations or locales where smoking tobacco was unacceptable. Marketers trying to sell electronic cigarettes quickly began advertising te products as a way to quit the tobacco habit. This did not gain approval from the e-cig manufacturers and was quickly condemned by the World Health Organization. The safety of electronic cigarettes had not been thoroughly tested and the WHO claimed there was no proof as yet of any benefits to users.

Some smokers consider e-cigarettes to be a hobby but not a habit. Gathering online in forums, electronic smokers who refer to themselves as “vapers” argue the merits of one e-liquid over another, offer advice on the best electronic cigarettes and discuss vapor volume endlessly.

Initially, almost all electronic cigarettes resembled the tobacco cigarette closely although the realism left a lot to be desired. In time, e-cigarettes came into their own and now you can find the products in many colors or printed with logos of lacy gold metallics. The stylish designs often no longer try to look like tobacco cigarettes but are designed to provide variety to the consumer.

In 2009, electronic cigarette suppliers formed their own trade association with a goal of providing factual information about electronic cigarettes and correcting misinformation spread by others. The focus is to promote electronic smoking as an alternative to smoking tobacco.

A significant amount of opposition has been exerted by big tobacco and big pharma who have targeted electronic cigarettes as the enemy (i.e., the competition). The powerful lobbyists of these conglomerates have exerted pressure on the FDA to regulate or ban electronic smokes. The FDA appears to have folded under the pressure and has issued its own warnings about e-cigs. However, a recent court decision that reversed an import ban imposed by the FDA may counteract at least some of this government agency’s bias.

Tobacco companies and pharmaceuticals have been quick to spread misinformation about the effects of e-smoking. Amazingly, companies that sell the most dangerous consumer product available to the public are expressing concern about the safety of electronic cigarettes and the effect e-cigs might have on public health.

An innovative new e-cigarette design is a two piece product with a replaceable cartridge. The mouthpiece is pre-loaded with nicotine solutions. One mouthpiece is equal to approximately one pack of tobacco cigarettes (about 400 puffs). The ability to replace a cartridge with no more effort than is needed to open a pack of cigarettes has been a hit with e-smokers. They no longer need to carry bottles of e-liquid with them wherever they go and no cleaning is required.

Though the history of e-cigarettes may be short, the future is very bright for this product. The improvements in user experience and vapor volume combined with factual information is being provided to the buying public. Suppliers hope this will generate a demand for e-cigs that will only increase with time.

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Most people have read each side of the debate on the subject of ecigs. On one side, you’ll find the proponents that believe they’re safe to use and an efficient gadget for quitting smoking. On the other end of this debate are the opponents who say the electronic cigarette can be hazardous for the end user and they are worthless as a smoking cessation aid. However, as we all know, when there are two sides of a story the truth is usually someplace in the middle.

This e-cigarette controversy went viral in June of 2009 once the Food and Drug Administration publicized a study declaring they analyzed electronic cigarettes along with their associated product e liquid and determined them to be harmful as they contained chemical substances deemed to be harmful to humans. After the FDA released their study, the e-cig side fired back by hiring the prestigious technical analysis firm Exponent Engineering to examine the FDA analysis and the practices utilized to reach their conclusions. Exponent Engineering found the conclusions reached by the FDA investigation appeared to be unacceptable as the screening methods they applied in their study were far from those required to reach such scientific conclusions.

So now, at least a year later, exactly what have we discovered about the safety involving electric cigarettes? Well, effectively nothing has changed. Each side of the controversy still declares victory yet in the long run, the e cigarette user is still in the dark regarding whether or not the e-cig is actually harmless to use and beneficial as a smoking cessation product. Why don’t we take a closer look at what we know.

In the interest of brevity, I won’t get into detail about how the e-cigarette functions or how it is used. It’s quite simply a nicotine delivery product not unlike the MD prescribed Nicotrol inhaler. It operates by heating and vaporizing a combination of propylene glycol and pure nicotine (e-liquid) when the smoker takes a puff through the device. The Food and Drug Administration’s key point of contention, established incorrect by Exponent Engineering, is that the nicotine containing solution they examined included toxic impurities. The argument concerning this aspect itself is actually not my issue. The most important thing to note here is that the FDA could have, be it intentional or not, discovered a very pertinent point. Why don’t we look at this a little bit further.

In America, almost anything we eat or drink must conform to measures controlled by different government organizations which insure our protection. We often see items being recalled by the producer due to the slightest noncompliance with the recommended manufacturing process. Now let’s examine e-liquid (nicotine product used in electric cigarettes) for one moment. One can currently find no rules or polices in place ruling its production, who may manufacture it, how it is stored or even its shelf life. Essentially, you or I could go on the world-wide-web, shop for e liquid components and start blending it in our basements with zero regulation whatsoever. Just for personal use, this could very well seem acceptable. Even so, I don’t know of any similar item intended for human inhalation which you could prepare for yourself let alone for mass consumption and offer it for sale on the web. Nevertheless, this is just what a number of e liquid vendors seem to be doing.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am in no way declaring that e liquid may be unsafe. I am stating there is a real potential that as a consequence of insufficient regulation, contaminated eliquid might in theory fall into the hands of an e cig smoker. Now you may wonder about the e liquid which is manufactured by the electronic cigarette suppliers themselves? Here once more, we basically have the same issue. Manufactured predominantly in China, there is absolutely no regulations of any sort regarding how this e liquid is made. Ultimately, it appears people shopping for eliquid should consider the old adage caveat emptor or “Let the buyer beware”.

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