This is a partnered guest post.
Some vilify them, while others swear by their virtues. Electronic cigarettes are still being sold and used in a grey area of sorts, outside official rules and regulations regarding their production, marketing and sale. This, in turn, gives rise to a large amount of anecdotal evidence as to their qualities, as well as to numerous myths regarding their perils. So which one of the most popular myths about e-cigs are true and which ones are scare stories? Read on to find out.
- E-cigs are more dangerous for children
This is something of a no-brainer: anything that contains nicotine should not fall into the hands of children. It applies to any product, from snus and nicotine gum, to tobacco cigarettes and e-cigs. There is a certain degree of added risk to e-cigs, since e-liquid comes in a wide range of flavors, some of which children may find appealing (cherry, chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, mint, etc.).
- We can’t tell what e-cigs actually contain
This is partly true, inasmuch as, as of the time this article was written, no independent, peer-reviewed, double-blinded research was yet available on electronic cigarettes. This harms the reputation of the e cigarette in more than one way. On the one hand, with no unbiased studies out there, regulators cannot take an informed decision on the harmfulness or healthfulness of e-cigs. On the other hand, it allows disreputable producers to operate without a production standard. In the absence of a production standard, e-cigs can, indeed, contain just about anything—which is why long-time vapers advise newbies to only purchase kits and accessories from well-known brands.
- E-cigs should not be sold as medical products
When it comes to marketing and selling electronic cigarettes, there is no definitive decision across the board. Some countries and states in the US have decided to ban them from being sold altogether, while others embrace them and allow vapers to use them in places where tobacco smokers dare not tread (airports, planes, subways, etc.). What’s more, the proposed amendments to the European Union’s tobacco product regulation also includes electronic cigarettes, for the first time ever. Some proponents have suggested that e-cigs should be sold as medical devices in the EU, much in the same way as nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges.
- E-fluid is more harmful than tobacco
Claims have been made that e-fluid would allegedly contain more toxic substances than a regular tobacco cigarette. It’s worth mentioning that a tobacco cigarette contains over 3,000 toxic substances, not all of which have been identified. That being said, this is another reason for which the e-cig industry requires a production standard, both for the devices themselves, as well as for all their accessories and consumables.
My 18 year old thinks these are the coolest things on the planet right now. I strongly disapprove but since he’s 18, there isn’t much I can do besides ban them from my house, property, car and usage in front of the younger children.
I have to admit, as an ex-smoker, I was under the impression that e-cigs were much safer and less “unhealthy” for you. I think I need to do some research.
I would be very afraid to try something like this.
I’m just glad I was never a smoker. Interesting article though.
I think the jury is still out on these and it may be quite some time before we get the truth about whether these work, are dangerous, etc.
I am not a smoker so I can’t really comment on these.