What Are E-Cigarettes?

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E-Cigarettes Overview

An e-cigarette is a device that uses battery power to vaporize a liquid so that the user can inhale the vapor. They often contain flavorings, nicotine, and other chemicals are that inhaled when the user operates the device. There are over 450 different kinds of e-cigarette brands currently on the market today. These devices might also be called electronic nicotine delivery systems, e-vaporizers, or e-cigarettes.

Most e-cigarettes have four primary components: a cartridge for holding the liquid solution, a power source like a battery, a heating element, and the actual mouthpiece for the user to inhale. The act of puffing from the user typically activates the cartridge liquid to being the vaping process.

Whether you’ve used them or seen someone else using these devices, there is no doubt that e-cigarettes have becoming extremely popular in the last several years. Many people have turned to these as alternatives to traditional smoking, but new studies and accident reports are showing that these electronic devices come with their own set of risks.

Although there are brand differences in how an e-cig looks, most devices have the same basic components. Consumers might hear these referred to as vapes, e-hookahs, hookah pens, or mods.

Certain brands carry higher levels of nicotine in their vaping pods, so consumers should be aware of how this could influence their overall experience of the level of addiction to nicotine as a result of regular use.

E-Cig Dripping

One of the concerning aspects of the popularity of e-cigarettes is the heightened use in teens, who might not be used to the addictive nature of the nicotine inside. One study of teens found that one in four teens was using e-cigs by dripping, a process that refers to inhale=ing the vapors after putting the liquid drops directly on heated coils.

Addictive Nature of E-Cigarettes

Certain e-cigarettes deliver very high doses of nicotine. According to some users, this information is not being shared with prospective users of the device until it’s too late and the person has become addicted to nicotine.

Some parents of teens who started using e-cig devices claim that these companies should be held accountable for nicotine poisoning or the fallout from severe addictions to nicotine developed as a result of regular use.

Hazards of E-Cigs

All kinds of problems have been reported by users of these devices, especially if the product is defective. Some devices have reportedly even caught on fire and damaged property due to issues with the e-cigarette battery.

Since these products are relatively new, there have not been any long-term studies about e-cigs completed that show the true risk profile. Early research, however, shows that there are risks present, especially for younger users consuming high levels of nicotine.

When a person uses an e-cig, the nicotine inside is absorbed quickly into the lungs. Nicotine then stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline. This can also trigger the release of dopamine.

Many people have turned to e-cigarettes under the assumption that they carry less health risks than traditional tobacco smoking, but the addictive nature of these e-cigs highlights how someone could develop their own health risks just from using the electronic devices.