DWS Extra

The Electronic Cigarette or E-Cigarette that has been developed in China by Hon Lik of Ruyan is gaining in popularity in India among smokers who want to give a shot to quitting without getting rid of their nicotine fix.

In June 2008, Chennai-based SPK introduced E-Cigarettes or Super Cigarettes in India, that provides a nicotine kick to smokers but has no cancer-causing ingredients.

The E-Cigarette is a device that provides small amounts of nicotine with each puff, and does away with carcinogenic compounds found in normal cigarettes.

Based on the principle of nicotine replacement therapy, the E-Cigarette can helps chain smokers to reduce smoking or even cut down on the habit altogether.

What are E-Cigarettes?

The E-Cigarette is a non-flammable device that consists of a tiny rod that is longer than a real cigarette, and comes with a replaceable cartridge that contains liquified nicotine, propylene glycol, tobacco flavor, and a membrane to hold the ingredients. The E-Cigarette also has a small rechargeable battery that allows nicotine to be converted into vapor with each inhalation.

When a smoker takes a puff, a sensor present in the E-Cigarette detects the air flow and a microprocessor injects tiny small drops of liquified nicotine, which gets vaporised.

The vapor has no smell and dissipates fast. To make the mist look like normal cigarette smoke, ethylene glycol is used.

The tip of the E-Cigarette glows red to mimic traditional cigarettes, using an orange LED.

Why E-Cigarettes are safe

The ingredients of E-Cigarettes – propylene glycol, nicotine, and tobacco scent – are non-carcinogenic agents. The Food and Drug Administration gives a clean chit to propylene glycol. Nicotine, on its own, is harmless and can be found in staple food such as pepper, tomato, eggplant and potato. The E-Cigarette has been certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  and The European body called Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS).

Benefits of E-Cigarettes

According to SPK, E-Cigarettes have many benefits.

1) E-Cigarettes do not cause bad breath as it does not give out any odor.

2) E-Cigarettes do not stain teeth.

3) E-Cigarettes cost slightly less than normal cigarettes.

4) E-Cigarettes removes 4000 carcinogenic substances and does not have an adverse impact on health. Traditional cigarettes contain tobacco, additives, nicotine, glue and paper, which when ignited, according to the Centers for Disease Control, cause cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

5) E-Cigarettes remove the danger of second-hand smoking and does not irritate non-smokers.

6) E-Cigarettes do not cause fire as they are non-flammable.

6) E-Cigarettes can help smokers kick the habit by slowing reducing nicotine dilution.

Cost of E-Cigarettes

E-Cigarettes are slightly cheaper than traditional cigarettes. The E-Cigarettes come into two categories:

1) E-Cigarettes meant to help smokers quit are priced at Rs 3600 for a packet of 900 cigarettes, which translates to Rs 4 per cigarette.
2) E-Cigarettes for beginners cost Rs 2000 for a packet of 900 cigarettes, which works out to Rs 2 per cigarette.