Products
In many countries, electronic cigarettes are available, for example, at kiosks, tobacco stores, pharmacies, and on the web. The sale of nicotine-containing products has been allowed in many countries since 2018.
Structure and properties
E-cigarettes are electrical devices that, when drawn in the mouth, form a vapor that is inhaled. They are often designed to resemble cigarettes or pipes, and there are numerous variants on the market. Typical components of the e-cigarette are the mouthpiece, the vaporizer, the battery (accumulator) and a cartridge with the inhalable liquid (is also called liquid). Different liquids exist with or without nicotine and with a wide variety of flavors. Typical ingredients are, for example, flavorings, nicotine, propylene glycol (carrier liquid) and glycerol.
Effects
The effects of e-cigarettes depend on the components of the vaporized liquid. For example, nicotine has psychotropic, sympathomimetic, and cholinergic properties, sedates, stimulates, and is addictive. The benefits of e-cigarettes include:
- No smoke, no combustion like smoking.
- No annoying smell
- Less toxic substances are released.
- Less expensive than tobacco cigarettes and partly than other nicotine replacement products.
- Fewer harmful substances
- Can be vaporized with restrictions where smoking is prohibited.
Areas of application
E-cigarettes are intended as a stimulant and as an alternative to ordinary tobacco products. They are also used as nicotine substitutes for smoking cessation. Whether they are suitable for this purpose is controversial.
Dosage
According to the enclosed instructions for use. E-cigarettes are smoked or “vaporized” similar to regular cigarettes.
Contraindications
Nicotine is contraindicated in nonsmokers, children, during pregnancy and lactation, and in those with a known hypersensitivity. Full precautions can be found in the Drug Factsheet on Nicotine Replacement Products.
Adverse effects
In principle, e-cigarettes appear to be less harmful than regular cigarettes because they release significantly fewer toxic substances. However, there are health concerns. These include:
- Nicotine poisoning if nicotine-containing liquids are mishandled, with an increased risk for children
- Side effects of nicotine
- Development of nicotine addiction
- Release of harmful substances from the vaporized liquids (depending on the ingredients), e.g. carcinogenic substances.
- Liquids with undesirable pharmacologically active ingredients.
- Incorrect or missing declaration
