The Idea Zone

Socially Acceptable Smoking?

Originally designed as an aid to help smokers quit their habit, e-cigarettes are now being embraced instead as a tobacco cigarette replacement that will allow smokers to light up in a more socially acceptable manner. First designed as a nicotine inhaler that was convenient to use as a smoking reduction device, the design was quickly changed and marketed so that the inhaler resembled a real cigarette and could be used in social situations without anyone noticing — or at least complaining.

E-cigs are small electronic devices that look like a regular cigarette complete with a glowing red tip to simulate burning. They are essentially an atomizer that uses low heat to create a vapor from nicotine liquid. The vapor is inhaled by the user. Because the vapor dissipates within a few seconds, only the user is exposed, thus reducing the twin complaints from by-standers of second-hand smoke exposure and lung damage from the chemicals in burning tobacco.

There are some side effects from inhaling nicotine vapor over a long period of time, such as throat irritation and, rarely, coughing and a runny nose. But these are seen as small inconveniences when compared to the dangers of regular tobacco use, such as smoking, chewing, and the use of tobacco snuff. While the device really can be used to reduce nicotine consumption by purchasing progressively weaker nicotine cartridges, the truth is that most people are using them so they can smoke in public places.

Though the FDA is examining e-cigs for safety, it seems pretty obvious that their use is less harmful than any of the other methods of using tobacco, both for the user and for other people. While acceptance and use of e-cigs has been slow in the US, the e-cigarettes have been popular and widely used in most of Europe for almost eight years and are allowed in restaurants and other public buildings.