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.

Cough. cough. cough.

Arghhh.. a customer of mine entered into my shop smoking. I thought he’s going to throw the stick but I was wrong. I’m already covering my nose and I don;t think he knows that I’m already signaling that he needs to stop smoking already. I guess he is just so numb and didn’t care that he is inside a store where there are many people that can inhale the nasty smoke from his cigarette.

Ahhh some people are just rude and insensitive! I could not help myself seeing him smoking inside my store, so I asked him if he can throw his cigarette already.  Thank goodness he followed me. He didn’t know that he is passing on bad smoke to anyone.