Electronic Smokeless Cigarettes Frequently Asked Questions

What are electronic smokeless cigarettes?

Electronic (or Electric) Smokeless Cigarettes mimic the entire smoking experience minus harmful side effects of regular cigarettes at a much lower cost.  It is a non-flammable smoking alternative device that delivers a nicotine vapor when it is inhaled.

An electronic cigarette is the size and shape of a traditional, tobacco cigarette, but has no flame, does not use tobacco, and produces no smoke, ash, or cigarette butt.  Electronic cigarettes do not contain cancer carcinogens. This battery powered device provides a vaporized liquid nicotine solution through advanced microelectronic and atomization technology.

How do electronic cigarettes work?

Electronic cigarettes have four basic components: circuitry, a rechargeable battery, an atomizer, and a mouthpiece. When it is inhaled, air pressure activates the atomizer to vaporize a small amount of liquid contained in the cartridge, which is contained within the mouthpiece

How are electronic smokeless cigarettes like regular cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes are the size and shape of regular cigarettes. The end glows, just like regular cigarettes do. The electronic cigarette produces a vapor which has the appearance of smoke and delivers nicotine, just like regular cigarettes and are available in a variety of flavors.

Is nicotine harmful to my health?

Nicotine is a stimulant comparable to caffeine but more addictive.  It carries about the same health risk as another widely used addictive drug: caffeine. This study written by doctors  debunks many myths about nicotine.  Tobacco Myths and Myth-Understandings (http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/admed/documents/TobaccoMyths.pdf )

How are electronic smokeless cigarettes different than regular cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes do not contain any of the 4000 cancer carcinogens and other disease causing side effects. There is no flame involved, so setting a fire is less likely. There is no ash or smoke to smell or linger. Waste is much less:  one pack of regular cigarettes means twenty butts and an empty box vs. one small plastic mouthpiece and cartridge.

How much do electronic cigarettes cost?

One electronic cigarette cartridge is equal to nearly a full pack and costs only $2. That’s a savings on average of $4 a pack over traditional cigarettes.  That translates into a savings of more than a $1,000 a year for a pack a day smoker; $2,000 a year for a two pack a day smoker.

Do electronic cigarettes eliminate tar, toxins and secondhand smoke?

Electronic cigarettes produce vapor, not smoke, tar or toxins eliminating worries about toxic, secondhand smoke. They contain no tar, carbon monoxide, or harmful toxins unlike normal tobacco cigarettes which have over 4,000 harmful poisons not found in electronic cigarettes.

Do electronic cigarettes give off smoke or smoke smell?

Electronic cigarettes give off no smoke! They only produce water vapor. There are no pollutants being released into the air with every puff. Electronic cigarettes are the “green” alternative to traditional cigarettes. No smoke also means no more smoke smell on hair and clothing. Electronic cigarettes put out no odor, making them more agreeable to use when visiting non-smokers.

Are electronic cigarettes flammable?

Electronic cigarettes are non-flammable, eliminating the need for lighters and matches. Electronic cigarettes need no ashtrays, since they do not produce any ashes or butts. No burning tobacco means no more burn holes in carpets, clothing, upholstery, or car interiors. Electronic cigarettes can not burn anything! When not in use, they can simply be tucked away in a pocket.

Can I smoke wherever and whenever?

Since use of electronic cigarettes products does not involve fire or the burning of tobacco with the resulting odor or health risks of second-hand smoke, their use should not violate any smoking prohibition.Smoking tobacco is not permitted in many places, such as restaurants, bars, airports, and offices. Tobacco smokers often have to stand outside, whatever the weather, to take cigarette breaks. Electronic cigarettes do not use tobacco, produce no smoke, and are not flammable.

Can anyone use electronic cigarettes?

No, they intended for use by current smoking adults over the age of 18.   In certain States you must be 19 to purchase  electronic cigarette. Please check with your State to see what the Legal Purchase Age is.  It is not intended to be used by pregnant or nursing women and those that are sensitive or allergic to nicotine or propylene glycol.

Can electronic cigarettes help me stop smoking?

Electronic cigarettes may be useful as a quit smoking aid.  That is a choice each individual must make: whether they are a less dangerous smoking substitute or a quit smoking product or aid.

If you want to stop smoking and reduce your nicotine habits there is how to quit smoking.  Since they come in different nicotine strengths a smoker may choose to reduce the amount of nicotine when ordering electronic cigarettes over time.  That combined with a personal commitment would reduce the amount of nicotine intake over any time period the smoker chooses.

In either case, they offer a considerably less toxic way to smoke. In addition to delivering inhaled nicotine, electric cigarettes provide a flavor and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, but without the adverse health effects from tobacco, smoke, or any form of combustion and therefore a healthier choice for smokers.

What are the other benefits to stop smoking?

Better Health – Many electronic cigarette customers report better health when they stop inhaling the toxins, tar, and other poisons traditional cigarettes contain. They feel better, breathe better, and their skin looks better.

Improved Self-esteem – Quitting smoking frees smokers from a long list of negative conditions associated with tobacco use. Giving up tobacco results in fresher breath, whiter teeth, and healthier skin. Past attempts to quit are no longer viewed as failures, but rather as learning experiences.

Huge Money Savings – The typical pack-a-day cigarette smoker will spend approximately $1600 to $1800 a year on cigarettes.  Obviously two pack-a-day cigarette smoker will spend $3200 to $3600 a year.  Electronic Cigarettes cost 80% less.

Read Regular Smoking Costs vs. Smokeless Electronic Cigarettes (Link to Internal article).  It includes other savings from reduced life and health insurance premiums, and the many other other unintended costs incurred by smoking.

To figure out your own actual costs please use and our Smoking Cost Calculator (Link)

How important is it to quit smoking regular cigarettes?

It’ s very important. Tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smoking accounts for nearly one-third of all cancer deaths in this country each year. Smoking is the most common risk factor for the development of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death.

Are there immediate benefits to quitting smoking?

The health benefits of smoking cessation (quitting) are immediate and substantial. Almost immediately, a person’s circulation begins to improve and the level of carbon monoxide in the blood begins to decline.

What are the long term benefits of quitting smoking?

People who quit smoking live longer than those who continue to smoke. After 10 to 15 years, a previous tobacco user’s risk of premature death approaches that of a person who has never smoked. About 10 years after quitting, an ex-smoker’s risk of dying from lung cancer is 30 percent to 50 percent less than the risk for those who continue to smoke.

Does the risk of getting cancer change after quitting smoking?

Quitting smoking reduces the risk for developing cancer, and this benefit increases the longer a person remains “smoke free.” People who quit smoking reduce their risk of developing and dying from lung cancer. They also reduce their risk of other types of cancer.