Why Electronic Cigarettes are so Controversial

With an electronic cigarette you ‘smoke’ without smoking. Purified liquid nicotine is vaporized in an atomising chamber and the mist created is what you inhale. The liquid contains propylene glycol to provide the smoke like appearance, the same substance that they use in fog machines. You don’t get the 4,000+ chemicals you get in a traditional cigarette but you do get the nicotine. The controversy with electronic cigarettes comes as a result of the lack of regulation and long term testing. Lack of regulation means that there is little control over the level of each of the ingredients in the liquid and right now the long term effects of inhaling propylene glycol are unknown – so this could ultimately prove harmful. They also look so similar to a normal cigarette, many even having a red LED that glows when you take a drag, a sure way to attract attention if you are in a public place where normal smoking is banned.