An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cig is a battery-powered device that replicates a traditional cigarette. The e-cigarette uses ‘atomising’ technology to produce a vapour with a dose of nicotine to satisfy the cravings of the smoker

So can the electronic cigarette help you quit smoking?

Dr. Anthony Panariello M.D – Pulmonologist said, “I will definitely recommend this product to my patients who are already smoking, it is a much better alternative than from getting the nicotine from tobacco cigarettes”

He also added “I have had the opportunity to review the findings of the lab reports on the Electronic Cigarette and compare them to traditional tobacco cigarettes and I have also had an opportunity to try Electronic Cigarette out personally – an average tobacco cigarette, in addition to nicotine contains over 4000 cancer causing elements also known as carcinogens. Electronic Cigarette contains zero cancer causing elements in other words no carcinogens”

The electronic cigarette gives the smoker a physical sensation similar to that of inhaled smoke. Many smokers have tried chewing gum or using patches when they want to quit, but often find that they miss holding a cigarette in their hands. The electronic cigarette could be a solution to smokers who want to quit.

Daniel Jensen, 29 from Chester, has been trying to quit smoking for 2 years and tried most options available to him, he said “I have been trying to quit for a long time now, I have tried gum, which tasted horrible and I have also tried patches, neither of these have satisfied my craving for a real cigarettes. I really want to quit smoking as me and my wife have just had a baby, I could not think of anything worse that polluting my babies lungs with my toxic fumes.

He also added “I recently bought an e-cig, it seems to be working at the moment. I able to use the electronic cig around my baby without harming him and it is fulfilling my cravings for nicotine. Hopefully this could be the end to my smoking habit”

John Britton, a lung specialist at the University of Nottingham, UK and chair of the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Advisory Group said, “Based on the manufacturer’s information, the composition of the cartridge liquid is not hazardous to health, if used as intended.”

There are however several studies regarding the long-term health effects of inhaling nicotine vapour are currently in progress, though it will be many years before the results are known.

On March 27, 2009, Health Canada issued an advisory against electronic cigarettes. The advisory stated that”Although these electronic smoking products may be marketed as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco products and, in some cases, as an tool to quitting smoking, electronic smoking products may pose risks such as nicotine poisoning and addiction.”

There will always be an ongoing to argument for and against the electronic cigarette until we know all the safety facts, but until then, if the electronic cigarette can help you quit smoking regular cigarettes it must be a good thing