would you smoke an e-cigarette?

[Feel_Good_inc.]

Read and Discuss. a good old fashioned debate.

We know smoking is bad for us. Tar, tobacco, a whole host of other chemicals, including cyanide and formaldehyde are in your average cigarette and cause diseases, mainly cancer.

Now, with the invention of electronic cigarettes all that isn't a danger any more.
An e-cigarette is just nicotine suspended in a water vapour.

Tar and so on, very bad for you but nicotine is, surprisingly, good for you.
it's tar that clogs up the lungs and causes the breathing problems, nicotine may in fact open the airway. Which may go to explain how easily tar clogs up the airways. when they're wide open they will fill quickly.

Quote:

First causing a release of glucose from the liver and epinephrine (adrenaline) from the adrenal medulla, it causes stimulation. Users report feelings of relaxation, sharpness, calmness, and alertness

From wikipedia.


so nicotine has both stimulating and calming affects, can be good for the body, reduces pain, enhances serotonin and dopamine. it may even be an appetite suppressant, but that's down to individuals responses. Personally I have known a number of very overweight.

Also taken from wikipedia:

Quote:

Technically, nicotine is not significantly addictive, as nicotine administered alone does not produce significant reinforcing properties

So that's the evidence for the pro section.

The con section is that, like smoking too many cigarettes, nicotine overdose is always a danger. But also like smoking too many cigarettes, you'd have to smoke a hell of a lot of e-cigs to do it.
The other con is that no one yet knows what the long term health affects of smoking e-cigarettes would be.

So, with all of that, what do you think?
If you are a smoker, would you make the switch to an e-cig to gain the health benefits and keep your habit?
If you are a non-smoker, would you think of taking up the smoking of e-cigs to gain the benefits of nicotine without the downsides of tar and tobacco?

Myself, I'm on the fence. I've been tempted to buy a disposable e-cig to try it out and see if there are any noticeable benefits.

[happywondering]

I used to smoke an e-cigarette at work when I wasnt allowed to smoke at work (a 10 hour shift I may add) was no where near as satisfying as the real thing, so I gave it away when I stopped working there.

[FranticMind]

I personally would not switch to an e-cigarette, some i have seen are more expensive than cigarettes anyway, and i dont trust them. but heh thats just me, i may be wrong!

[The War Doctor]

I tried switching to an e-cigarette roughly a year ago and it did nothing for me.

[Bellatrix]

I like the taste of the flavoured ones.
My partner would be uncomfortable if I got one so I don't use it.

I also enjoy shisha.

[((deleted))]

I have though about e-cigs, but I can't get over a few news articles I saw when they were relatively new about them exploding in peoples mouths...so that would be a no from me.

I also wish they did nicotine replacement things that I wasn't allergic to!

[whirlpools]

I tried an e-cig and it wasn't the same. I'd smoke it, and think "well, that was nice. Now for a real cigarette". I found sibling rivalry has been the most influential thing in me quitting smoking. That said, I know people who love e-cigs.

[MunchBox]

I've got one but I only smoke it when I haven't left my house for a few days, so, haven't gone out for a proper fag. I only enjoy the fact I can smoke it in my room.

[Buttons.]

When I was in less of a **** place my e-cig helped me cut down on my smoking drastically, I got down to only 2-3 of the real things a day which is some sort of miracle for me.

I enjoy smoking the e-cig and am hoping it will help me cut down again, and plus once you've bought it is one heck of a lot cheaper, the bottles of the stuff you put in them only cost on average about a fiver and can last up to a month.

[yourockmysocks]

E-cigarettes are nasty. I get coughing fits when people smoke them near me from the vapor. It's a heck of a lot harder to ask people to stop smoking (technically with e-cigs it's vapor but it irritates my throat/lungs the same as regular cigarettes) that **** in your face when it's an e-cig because of all the hype around them.

I don't believe that E-cigs are healthy, probably just healthier than normal cigarettes, but it's all relative. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/29/ma...ted=all&src=pm

[snailonvalium]

I have an e cig made by totally wicked,i use it mainly when Im not able to smoke actual cigs,or when Im with people who have switched to the e cig themselves.
I like all the different flavours,the fact you can use them in most places without standing outside like a leper and it works out cheaper than actually smoking.
I don't know about other makes but the totally wicked one has strengths of nicotine so you can slowly decrease,they even have a nicotine free one for when you just need to break the habit.
The long term health risks....can't be any worse than actually smoking.

[angel of despair]

I bought a bubblegum flavour electronic shisha a few days ago, does that count? :P

[The One Who]

I don't really understand why anyone who doesn't smoke already, would then start just because they are seen to be 'healthier'.

[crazykat]

^Agreed, I know I wouldn't

[snailonvalium]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The One Who

I don't really understand why anyone who doesn't smoke already, would then start just because they are seen to be 'healthier'.

Same here,just seems stupid....though i think part of it is because the range of e cigs is quite big and there are some really smart ones out there,its becoming a bit of a craze,like scooters and yoyos but more dangerous.

[MissAnonymous]

I'm a little curious about how they work, what they taste like, but I sure wont be buying or trying one.

[[Luna]]

I just bought an electronic cigarette, it's worth a shot. I'm starting to smoke way too much and it's getting expensive (plus I stink!).

[Buttons.]

^ Hope it works out well for you. I personally find the ones that aren't the cheap ones that look like real cigs are far more pleasant and effective.

[PinstripePython]

I just don't find them as satisfying as real cigarettes.

[forever_lost]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The One Who

I don't really understand why anyone who doesn't smoke already, would then start just because they are seen to be 'healthier'.

I don't smoke, and I don't really see the point in starting with these either. There's just no point. These "benefits" of nicotine or whatever aren't be all that great, and there are a lot of other ways to achieve the same effects. And I don't know if I actually believe nicotine isn't addictive.