As the 21st century continues to make technological headway in all walks of life, there may be relief in sight to those who cannot seem to quit smoking tobacco. It is a well-known fact the journey to conquer a tobacco addiction is not an easy one, but can E-cigarettes be a healthier alternative?

Electronic cigarettes, E-cigarettes, or vapor cigarettes as they are also called, work by super heating a cartridge that gives smokers a dose of nicotine in the form of water vapor. The vapor can be spiced up with flavors such as vanilla, cherry, chocolate and menthol. The body will absorb the nicotine and then exhale the water vapor, which the industry claims leaves no harm to the person smoking and the outside externalities. Retailers of the E-cigarette states the water vapors do not contain any chemicals or carcinogens, also known as cancer causing substances. They also state it cannot cause second-hand smoke, nor would the user’s teeth turn yellow.

A survey conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta, School of Public Health, discovered most E-cigarette users were once cigarette smokers.

With every new alternative there are always concerns. Health organizations and researchers have differing opinions regarding potential benefits or potential harms of the E-cigarette.

Anti-smoking groups ponder whether this new device will appeal to nonsmokers, increasing nicotine addiction. While others counter that claim stating that everyone was once nonsmokers, therefore the concerns for the increased appeal to current nonsmokers should be compared to the current nonsmokers who may eventually take up smoking tobacco.

A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that E-cigarettes could be a viable smoking cessation option.

In April 2010, American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) publicly announced their support of the E-cigarettes to adults. The AAPHP did stress they are completely against sales of this device to people under the age 18, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should reclassify the E-cigarette from a drug/device combination to tobacco products.

While retailers are remaining firm that E-cigarettes are completely healthy, there was a case in February, where an E-cigarette exploded while a man was using it, knocking out several teeth and causing servere burns on his face. According to officials from the North Bay Fire Department in Niceville, Fl, the man was inhaling from his E-cigarette device when the battery blew up.

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