A fairly new cigarette on the market is starting to grow in popularity in the U.S. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered “cigarettes” that are similar to traditional cigarettes, but without the tar, fire, flame, smoke, and other harmful properties. Electronic cigarette cartridges are atomizers that contain nicotine (one nicotine cartridge contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes) and creates a water vapor, which allows smokers to ingest nicotine without producing smoke.

Are Electronic Cigarettes Healthier?

While electronic cigarettes still contain nicotine, they do not have many of the other harmful elements found in traditional cigarettes. Specifically, smokers of e-cigarettes are not actually inhaling or exhaling smoke. In fact, the American Association of Public Health Physicians supports the use of electronic cigarettes over traditional cigarettes.

What are the Benefits of E-cigarettes?

A few of the benefits of electronic cigarettes include:

• They’re healthier for non-smokers. – Second-hand smoke can adversely affect the health and lungs of non-smokers. Because electronic cigarettes do not produce smoke, non-smokers do not have to ingest harmful chemicals.
• E-cigarettes don’t produce bad odors. – Part of the unpleasantness of traditional cigarettes is the smell of the smoke that clings to your clothes, your hair and anything else you smoke around (such as in your home). An electronic cigarette produces a vapor smoke that does not have an odor.
• There’s no bad aftertaste with electronic cigarettes. – Electronic cigarettes use flavored water vapor so that the aftertaste in your mouth is your flavor of choice (such as mint or cherry), rather than the smoky taste of cigarettes.
• E-cigarettes produce less pollution. – Electronic cigarettes do not contain carcinogens or tar, so they are healthier for the environment than traditional cigarettes.
• They’ll save you money. – Many smokers spend hundreds of dollars on cigarettes each month alone. Electronic cigarettes require only refills that last longer than traditional cigarettes, saving money in the long run.

Electronic cigarettes are a healthier, cleaner alternative to traditional cigarettes.