E-cigarettes are basically “nicotine
inhalers” that work by electronically burning liquid nicotine, producing a vapour
that the user then inhales. The use of e-cigarettes
is fast gaining popularity around the world for several reasons.
First of all, e-cigarettes are
generally considered cheaper than traditional tobacco cigarettes. A user's
major expense would be the starter kit, and succeeding expenses cover the costs
of e liquid refills. The total estimated cost of using e-cigarettes in a year
is considerably lower than the cost of consuming one pack of traditional
cigarettes a day.
Additionally, e-cigarettes carry
less of the harmful health effects of traditional cigarettes. The e-liquid in
e-cigarettes do not produce tar, which is a by-product of tobacco-based
cigarettes. Tar is known to cause the staining of a smoker's teeth and skin; it
can also lead to certain respiratory diseases. Likewise, tar is present in the
smoke that a traditional cigarette user exhales, which can then be passed on to
those around the smoker. This is commonly known as secondhand smoke, and is
considered to be just as harmful as that inhaled by smokers themselves.
The vapour produced by the burning
of the e-liquid in electronic cigarettes is tar-free, which makes it safer for
persons around a smoker. For this reason, using e-cigarettes is allowed in many
public places where traditional cigarettes are banned, like airports and
restaurants. This is another factor that has contributed to the rising
popularity of e-cigarettes.