E-cigarette

An e-cigarette (or e-cig) is an alternative to the cigarette, providing small amounts of the chemical nicotine with each inhalation.

The device takes the form of a tiny rod which is slightly longer than a normal cigarette. The mouthpiece of the device contains a replaceable cartridge filled with liquid. In the patent pending version of the e-cigarette, the main substances contained in the liquid are nicotine, propylene glycol, and optional flavours or aromas.cite web |url=http://www.healthnz.co.nz/ecigarette.htm
title=The Ruyan e-cigarette; Health New Zealand Ltd Information Sheet. |accessdate=2008-03-31 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |work=Health New Zealand |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] [Chemical & Engineering News, August 11, 2008, p. 56, "Newscripts" ]

When the user inhales through the device, the air flow is detected by a sensor. A microprocessor then activates a piezoelectric nebulizer (popularized by the industry as an atomizer), which injects tiny droplets of the liquid into the flowing air and vapourises the nicotine. This produces a vapor mist which is inhaled by the user. The addition of propylene glycol to the liquid makes the mist better resemble normal cigarette smoke. The microprocessor also activates an orange LED at the tip to simulate real smoking.

E-cigarettes generally use a rechargeable battery as a power source. Battery life varies between devices, with some lasting a day between charges,cite web |url=http://gamucci.com |title=Frequently Asked Questions |accessdate=2008-03-21 |work=Gamucci.com |publisher=Gamucci Ltd. |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=The battery will last for approximately one day with normal use. ] and others lasting a week.cite web |url=http://www.njoy.com/faq.php |title=Frequently Asked Questions |accessdate=2008-05-27 |work=NJOY |publisher=Sottera, Inc. |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Developed in China by Hon Lik of Ruyan, [cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-07-2008/0004808532 |title=Ruyan America's Electronic Smoking Substitutes Win Two Awards at 2008 Tobacco Plus Expo Held in Las Vegas |accessdate=2008-05-27 |work= |publisher=PRNewswire |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] the technology is patent pending worldwide.ref patent |country=EP |number=1618803|status=application |title=A flameless electronic atomizing cigarette |pubdate=2006-01-25 |gdate= |fdate=2004-03-08 |invent1=Hon Lik |assign1= |class=] A number of OEMs and importers offer different varieties of e-cigarettes for sale in various countries, it is not known if these hold a patent license, work around the patent claims, or are simply ignoring the patent.

Nicotine solution

Cartridges for e-cigarettes are usually offered in a variety of formulations, with different flavours (e.g. fruit, mint, and coffee) and nicotine concentrations. At the upper range of nicotine concentrations, e-cigarette smoking is equivalent in nicotine delivery to average tobacco cigarettes.cite web |url=https://e-cig.com/shopping/shopcontent.asp?type=density |title=Density of Nicotine |accessdate=2008-05-27 |work=E-CIG.com |publisher=Cixi E-CIG Technology Inc. Ltd. |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=] Most companies also offer a range of milder options, including completely nicotine-free cartridges. Depending on the device, the solution cartridges are good for between 100 to 600 drags. An empty cartridge can be replaced with a new cartridge or it can be refilled with solution. This solution is sometimes called e-liquid and is often sold in bottles of 10 ml. The Ruyan patent application mentions four different recipes for the nicotine solution:

Health issues

E-cigarettes are marketed as a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking, since most of the harmful material produced by the combustion of tobacco in traditional cigarettes is not present in the atomised liquid of e-cigarettes. They have also been marketed as a way to keep or curtail an addiction to nicotine.cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10494763 |title=Fake aims to kill the urge to puff |accessdate=2008-03-20 |last=Donovan |first=Brooke |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-02-27 |work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN News & Media |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Toxicological studies of the electronic cigarettes have been conducted, with some reporting that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes. In September 2008, the World Health Organization issued a release proclaiming that it does not consider the e-cigarette to be a legitimate smoking cessation aid, stating that to its knowledge, "no rigorous, peer-reviewed studies have been conducted showing that the electronic cigarette is a safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy."cite web |url=http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2008/pr34/en/index.html |title=Marketers of electronic cigarettes should halt unproved therapy claims |accessdate= |accessmonthday=2008-10-01 |date=2008-09-19 |publisher=World Health Organization |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Legal regulation

*In the European Union some countries have stipulated a decision according to the legal status of e-cigarette products.
*In Austria the e-cigarette is seen as a medical device and the nicotine cartridges are considered a medicinal product. This means that an e-cigarette needs to be CE-marked and the nicotine cartridges must be registered as medicinal products before they can be sold.
*In the United Kingdom, electronic cigarette use is currently unrestricted, with celebrity nightclub Chinawhite allowing use of the devices indoors, where traditional cigarette smoking is prohibited.cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=488991 |title=Smoke without the fire - the cigarette that's legal indoors |accessdate=2008-03-20 |author= |last= |first= |date=2007-10-23 |work=Daily Mail |publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]
*In The Netherlands the use of the e-cigarette is allowed but advertising the electronic cigarette is forbidden as long as no European legislation or guideline exists. [cite web |url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2008/03/electronic_cigarette_investiga.php |title=Electronic cigarette investigation called for |accessdate=2008-03-20 |last= |first= |date=2008-03-17 |work=DutchNews.nl |publisher= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]
*In Finland the usage is prohibited as it is considered a medical device by the Finnish National Agency for Medicines.
*In the United States, the e-cigarette is accepted as a smoking substitute or cigarette alternative, but is not approved as a smoking cessation product. Since the e-cigarette does not contain any tobacco, it is not subject to tobacco-related regulations such as the Clean Indoor Air Act.cite web |url=http://esmokersmag.com/2008/07/31/e-cigarettes-beat-the-smoking-ban-in-nevada/ |title=E-Cigarettes Beat the Smoking Ban in Nevada |accessdate=2008-08-01 |last= |first= |date=2008-07-31 |work=Electronic Smokers Magazine |publisher= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=As long as there is no tobacco in the product, it is not in violation of the Clean Indoor Air Act. ]

References