Over the past couple months there have been some opponents of electronic cigarettes coming out publicly and making many false or misleading statements about electronic cigarettes. These nay-sayers often use phrases such as “we just don’t know” to further their agenda against electronic smoking. On the flip side, there are some suppliers and supporters of e-cigarettes making statements that are also not entirely true to promote the product and gain public acceptance of the technology. So, below is an incomplete list of what we do and what we don’t know about electronic cigarettes.

Here’s what we DON’T know about electronic cigarettes:

1) We don’t know that they contain carcinogens. Some e-liquid may, but some may not. The FDA tested it and found that some do, but it wasn’t clear that they were found in the actual vapor. What was clear, was that when it was found, it was in trace levels.

2) We don’t know what the long term effects are of inhaling propylene glycol (or vegetable glycerin) may be. The EPA study on Propylene Glycol states, “A review of the available data has shown propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol to be negative for carcinogenicity in studies conducted up to the testing limit doses established by the Agency; therefore, no further carcinogenic analysis is required.” and “Upon reviewing the available toxicity information, the Agency has concluded that there are no endpoints of concern for oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure to propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol.” With that said, we still can’t say for certain what the long term implications of inhaling propylene glycol are to the user.

3) We don’t know if electronic cigarettes can help someone stop smoking. We have argued many times on this blog that is is actually a poor stop smoking product because it allows the continuation of the smoking habit. It also continues to deliver nicotine which is addictive and one reason smokers keep smoking. Either way, there is no evidence that it is an effective quit smoking product.

4) We don’t know if this is eventually something kids will try. To date, there is no evidence that any kids have tried e-cigarettes especially those who have never smoked. We fully support making electronic cigarettes an adult only product.

Here’s what we DO know about electronic cigarettes:

1) The majority of the vapor produced consists of propylene glycol, glycerin and water. There is also generally some amount of nicotine in the vapor, unless zero nicotine e-liquid is used. This doesn’t mean there is nothing bad in the vapor, it just means that we do know what is in the majority of the vapor. Further testing is under way to find out all the trace elements.

2) There is no smoke produced because there is no combustion.

3) At least some smokers find e-smoking to be a decent alternative to smoking tobacco.

4) Electronic cigarettes have been on the worldwide market for approximately 7 years with no reports of major issues from the users. There have been reports of dry throat, headaches and other minor symptoms. This does not mean that there won’t be reports of more severe issues from users, but it does mean there haven’t been any yet.

5) To our knowledge, tobacco companies DO NOT make or sell any electronic cigarettes on the market. In the United States most are sold by smaller, start up businesses.

6) Burning tobacco is the cause of upwards of 400,000 deaths per year in the United States alone and electronic cigarettes are an alternative to it.

For a limited time, we are once again offering pre-filled electronic cigarette cartridges.  The cartridges fit the Instead Electronic Cigarette and come filled with your choice of e-liquid (various nicotine levels in tobacco or menthol flavors).  These cartridges, just like the empty electronic cigarette cartridges, can be refilled with e-liquid (once they are used up).  Pre-filled cartridges are approximately equivalent to 3 to 5 tobacco cigarettes.  Although we still believe the best e-smoking experience is with e-liquid, the pre-filled cartridges are convenient for those on the go.

Another new addition to our product line are the E-Cigarette Car Chargers.  This car charger works in conjunction with the small USB charger that comes with every Instead Electronic Cigarette Kit.  It converts your car’s cigarette lighter into a USB input to plug in your charger.  Another great idea for the e-smoker on the move.

Happy E-Smoking!

With many public health organizations and certain politicians making claims that electronic cigarettes are marketed to children, we decided to put together some numbers about the demographics of our customers. We do require all buyers to be of legal smoking age in order to purchase an electronic cigarette, but we wanted to answer the question if this product is more appealing to the young or the old.

Dealing with our customers on a regular basis has obviously given us some insight into the demographics of our e-cigarettes. Based on these interactions we are comfortable saying the majority of our customers are older smokers who have been smoking for a least 15 years. These seem to be the individuals who find the electronic cigarette a suitable smoking alternative after having tried to quit smoking with various methods over the years with no success.

But what do the number suggest? Although we are still working to put together the average age and the bell curve, we can easily pick out the mean age of our customers: 45 years old. That’s right, the mean year of birth for our customers is 1964. This was not surprising considering all the anecdotal evidence.

So who should use the electronic cigarette? That’s easy…..legal age smokers who have tried to quit smoking multiple times with no success. That’s it. Kids should not e-smoke. Non-smokers should not e-smoke. Pregnant women should not e-smoke. Anyone with any medical conditions should not e-smoke until they have talked to their doctors about it. Smoking, whether burning tobacco or the electronic cigarette, is an adult activity.

Choice can be controversial to say the least. It is however the basis of an enlightened society. The right to choose what you want to be when you grow up. The right to choose your partner. The right to choose your own clothes, what you eat, what you drink, and how you live. A choice made that effects others in a direct and negative way needs to be examined. This is the case with smoking in public. This is a choice that may have direct negative effects on those around you.

So let’s examine this from the perspective of esmoking. Smoking an electronic cigarette, or vaping or e-smoking as it is sometimes known, produces a vapor that is inhaled and exhaled. The ingredients in the actual liquid to be vaporized includes propylene glycol, water, flavoring, and sometimes nicotine. Some formulas also include lemon juice, vinegar, and citric acid. Studies are being done as we speak as to what the composition of the actual vapor is, but considering that no combustion is taking place, it is a distinct possibility that the vapor is made up of the same stuff as the ELiquid. Making this assumption, the question arises, who are you effecting when e-smoking? If you believe the second hand “e-smoke” is dangerous, it is likely you are also against fog machines at theme parks, concerts, and theatrical performances. If this is the case, please also consider fighting for a ban on perfume in public.

Here’s another argument: esmoking may be dangerous to the user. True, it may be. More testing will help determine the degree of danger. With that said, tobacco cigarettes are known to be dangerous and they are not banned. Sky Diving can be dangerous, so let’s ban it. Working in a coal mine or on a crab boat is dangerous…..let’s ban it. Is it really the government’s job to protect me from my own choices?

This is obviously a complicated issue on many levels, but when you break it down to the lowest common denominator, it is about choice, freedom, and personal liberty. God bless America and while He (or She) is at it, please also bless the righteous with common sense.

Write your Senators and other public officials to tell them about your experience with the electronic cigarette. It may help those voting on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act aka The Waxman Tobacco Bill (NYTimes Article Here, TheHill.com Article Here) to be informed voters. It is still unclear whether or not the Waxman Bill will effect the electronic cigarette, but either way, a Bill that lumps other nicotine products in the same category as burning tobacco is of little help to smokers or those with who care about someone who smokes.

Although the electronic cigarette is not a quit smoking product, it is an alternative to smoking. There is no one best way to stop smoking or to change habits. Some have had success with the cold turkey route, others with natural methods such as CigArrest ( CigArrest Official Site), and still others have quit smoking with medication, nicorette or the nicotine patch. There seems to be a new “best way to stop smoking” every week especially as technology changes. However, many of these methods do not address the physical habit of hand to mouth. The E Cig may not be the answer to stopping smoking, but it does allow the user to continue the smoking motion. The debate continues about if e-smoking is better for you, but we encourage users to compare the ingredients in tobacco smoke with those in eliquid and esmoke.

Unlike nicotine gum or the nicotine patch, the e-cigarette actually functions much like a regular cigarette. However rather than burning and smoking, it vaporizes. Instead of smoking it is e-smoking. The nicotine is still delivered to the lungs, but in vapor form, rather than smoke which contains carcinogens and tar. E-Smoke is actually not smoking at all, but rather vaping. Below is a diagram showing the various parts of the e-cigarette.