The Controversy Surrounding the Electronic Cigarette & Smoking Effects

For years the medical community and related organizations have devoted their time, effort and funds to
educating the general public about the dangers of smoking. From commercials to websites and printed
material, these groups have made it their mission to not only inform people about why they should not
smoke cigarettes, but to help current smokers quit their nasty habit. The appearance of the electronic
cigarette has been no exception and although many people point out the benefits that this approach to
smoking comes with, it has not been enough to convince the medical community and healthy
organizations that it is a safer alternative.

The long term smoking effects that come with using e-cigs won’t be known for some time since there
are still studies being done. However, supporters strongly believe that e-cigs carry less negative effects
and health risks compared to regular cigarettes. Because the nicotine solution combined with the
atomizer mechanism creates a vaporized form of nicotine, there is no actual smoke that can be inhaled
by non-smokers, which eliminates the second hand smoke. Another benefit that people are quick to
point out is that the smoker is able to control the level of nicotine they receive from the electronic
cigarette, which is ideal for helping them gradually quit. On this front, the medical community and
organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) state that until there are enough studies
conducted, they cannot label the e-cig as a cessation device to appropriately help people quit smoking.
Although results will not be available anytime soon, supporters still stick to their claims that the lack of
negative smoking effects related to e-cigs makes it the ideal choice.