February 12th, 2009
We always enjoy good articles, that are well written and researched. It was a wonderful surprise today to run across an article written by a non-smoker, Helen Thompson for NewScientist Magazine titled Electronic Cigarette: A Safe Substitute?.
One of the biggest applause’s should go to Thompson for contacting Dr. Murray Laugesen of Health New Zealand, the leading researcher undertaking the questions and concerns that arrise from the use of the electronic cigarette. He has done not only a clinical study on a brand of cartridges, but he has also conducted the only clinical trial of the electronic cigarette to date. As far as we are concerned, any journalist who is not aware or does not attempt to contact Dr. Laugesen has not done their job thoroughly, as he is a certified scientist who has hands on knowledge of the electronic cigarette.
A few highlights from the article are even John Britton, a lung specialist from University of Nottingham, UK, and chair of the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Advisory Group, who is skeptical of the electronic cigarette, ends by stating that “If it turns out that they deliver to the bloodstream an amount of nicotine comparable to a cigarette, are acceptable to smokers and are safe, then the potential health benefits to smokers trying to quit are huge”.
Dr. Laugesen also noted in Thompsons article that “All pointers so far show the device is safe. Whether it will be a successful smoking cessation device in the future depends on whether governments wrap it in cotton-wool regulations or allow smokers to buy it with a modicum of reasonable safety checks.”
So props to Ms. Thompson for putting the tobacco harm reduction philosophy down on paper and offering a real journalistic overview of the electronic cigarette. To read her full report, please click on the link above.
The electronic cigarette is perfect for those who wish to continue smoking without the second hand smoke. Is it safer? Dr. Laugesen thinks so. We believe that one thing is for certain, there is no second hand smoke so the effects on those around the smoker are definitely diminished. More testing is still needed to be done on the actual vapor when it is released upon exhalation. The vapor consists of minimal water and propylene glycol, same as that in fog machines used for theatrical performances.
But, as many are finding out, the safety is something you have to weigh for yourself. By reading the many different posts we have offered, we hope you can come to your own conclusion. Weigh what you know, feel and think about tobacco cigarettes and then weigh what is available for the electronic cigarette. What is best for you? What do you feel is your next step as a smoker? Are you willing to change your brand to electronic knowing what you do know as fact against tobacco cigarettes and what is possiblity with the e-cig?
