Posts Tagged ‘electric cigarette myths’

Cruise Lines Tightening Rules on Smoking

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

One of the reasons many are choosing e-cigarettes over traditional ‘analog’ cigarettes is the increasing restrictions on smoking in public. Restaurants, airplanes, stadiums and many other public venues with large crowds generally have restrictions on where you can light up.

Cruise lines like “Princess’ Cruises” are tightening the screws on smokers as well. Going forward, guest of the cruise line will not be able to smoke in their staterooms or on balconies. Three other cruise lines (Carnival, Holland America and Norwegian) are joining Princess in cracking down on where travelers can light up.

“Our consumer studies show that smokers are a small minority of our passengers, and that the large majority of passengers value having their primary living space on-board smoke-free,” comments Jan Swartz, Executive Vice President of Princess Cruise Lines.

In fact, the numbers of smokers has been on a steady decline for years. Only 19.3% of adults, or 45 million Americans, smoked cigarettes in 2010 according to federal health regulators…in 2005, 20.9% of adults were smokers.

At iCruise.com, a Florida based cruise agency, complaints about smoky cabins and balconies have dropped sharply. Don Walker, co-president of iCruise, says the drop can be attributed to tighter rules on smoking onboard cruise ships. Walker says smokers seem accepting of these restrictions.

How are these policies affecting e-cigarette users?

Depends on the cruise line.

Some are lumping e-cigarette users in with regular smokers and asking them to only use their devices in designated areas while others clearly distinguish between the two and allow e-cigarettes in staterooms and around the ship.

On Princess, guests are allowed to use their e-cigarette in their staterooms since they leave no odor and have no known second-hand effects. However, their use is restricted in dining halls and theaters.  Carnival on the other hand is restricting e-cigarettes to designated smoking areas since they’re relatively new and not much is ‘officially’ known about them.

Tightening restrictions on smoking in public areas is serving as an impetus for smokers to either quit or seek alternatives like e-cigarettes.

While there are still many misconceptions out there, it’s not fair for digital e-cigarettes to be lumped in with traditional ‘analog’ smokers. Next time you’re taking a cruise or traveling, be aware of any of these restrictions and mindful of others around you.

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Propylene Glycol – Is it Safe?

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

I’ll admit, when I first heard of e-cigarettes a few years back, I was naturally intrigued, yet skeptical too. One of main sources of my skepticism had to do with the fact that one of the main ingredients of the nicotine e-liquid was propylene glycol, or PG.

My initial reaction was of alarm and bemusement at how inhaling a substance containing PG could not be harmful.

Part of the negative conception regarding propylene glycol is yes, it is an ingredient found in antifreeze (…more background on that later). PG though is found in many things we use every day. I could list literally hundreds of them – from prepared foods to cosmetics to fog machines to inhalers for people with asthma, COPD, lung disease and other respiratory ailments. The substance is also found in IV meds among other things.

In short, PG is safe for humans to inhale.

Personally, I was convinced of this since many with asthma use an inhaler daily. Propylene glycol itself is a relatively simple chemical substance containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen – C3H8O2 or HO-CH2-CHOH-CH3

Discovered in 1942 and approved for use around 1950, many studies have been commissioned to study the effects of PG. One study commissioned by Time Magazine used monkeys to determine the impacts of the substance. No negative effects were discovered except for one group of monkeys who gained weight after inhaling heavy concentrations of PG.

Another study took place over a 3-year period in a pediatric hospital. Rather than using tri-ethylene glycol in the facility’s air filters, PG was used. Concurrently, respiratory infections in the hospital dropped from 132 cases to 13.

The U.S. Centers for Disease classifies PG as ‘GRAS’ – or “generally recognized as safe” as a food additive.

Why do so many think PG is harmful?

It’s hard to say. Some people, including myself, were confused between propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which is most definitely a toxic substance.

Up until recent decades, all antifreeze contained EG rather than PG. EG was known to be very dangerous to pets and small children since it made antifreeze smell real sweet. Pets and unsupervised kids could smell it and ingest the substance. Needless to say, the outcome most of the time was really tragic.

Today though, antifreeze contains PG and doesn’t give off the inviting smell.

In the end, unawareness is what drives much of the negative perception of propylene glycol. Countless studies though have shown that only in very large quantities does it make any noticeable impact in people.

Take a look at this video courtesy of VapeTalk on the safety of propylene glycol. If someone ask you about the safety of your Sidesho or Lux e-cigarette and has concern over PG specifically, be sure to direct them here or kindly explain it’s a common substance in numerous everyday items.

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5 Scams to Be Aware of When your Buy Electric Cigarettes

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

Storming on to the scene in 2005, electric cigarettes have taken the smoking world by storm…6 years later, e-cigarettes are available from many brands and places both online and off.

As with any product and service, there are unscrupulous sellers of products…electric cigarettes are no different.

And considering how new they are and how fast they’ve grown in all parts of the world, electric cigarettes are especially vulnerable to this kind of manipulation.

So what’s an e-cigaratte buyer to do?

What should you look for?

Continue reading to learn about the 5 most common scams in the electric cigarette industry today. Being aware of these issues can help you choose the best e-cigarettes for your money.

1. Exaggerated claims electric cigarettes are a smoking cessation tool

In some ways, it is true…at least that’s what some people say. E-cigarettes have helped them reduce or eliminate traditional cigarettes from their lives. In the end though, electric cigarettes are an alternative nicotine delivery device. Logically, you can’t call it a quit smoking aid since you’re still technically ingesting the addictive substance found in regular cigarettes.

Aside from this important point, research from various sources is mixed and there’s a lot of debate. Considering this point, regulators are quite strict on the claims electric cigarette retailers can make.

2. Beware of Subscription Scams and Free Offers

While getting something for free is always desirable, there are plenty of products and services that lure buyers in this way but in no way gives you anything for free, or for a fair price for that matter.

Many unscrupulous e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers engage in this practice…the catch?

You’re signed up for a subscription where they automatically send you cartridges at an extremely inflated price. There are generally no refunds available. After receiving a lot of complaints from across the country, the Better Business Bureau issued a warning in April regarding this issue.

3. Be wary of exaggerated claims regarding cartridges

Another tactic more shady e-cigarette retailers use is to say cartridges equal a whole pack of regular cigarettes and things like that. Claims like this just absolutely cannot be made.

First of all, every smoker is different so by extension, how long a cartridge lasts can vary as well. Second, a regular smoker will have to usually go outside or otherwise stop what they’re doing to smoke a cigarette. E-cigarette users, or vapers, on the other hand usually use the electric cigarette throughout the day.

In general, a cartridge equals anywhere between 3 and 8 cigarettes. Some contain more but that’s generally reserved for the big ‘cartomizer’ models that last a whole day for an average user.

4. Be suspicious of over-priced starter kits

Any smoker or interested adult must buy an e-cigarette starter kit to begin enjoying electric cigarettes. But many models you see in stores and in malls usually carry a much higher price tag to cover branding and overhead costs. They’re also generally re-branded from some base model.

Look into various online e-cigarette retailers for a much better deal. Check out reviews and forums to see which brands would work best for you. E-cigarette starter kits range in price – anywhere from $25 for the most basic ones to $130 for ones with a lot of accessories.

5. Don’t buy claims that you can use them anywhere

While it’s quite true that you CAN use them just about anywhere and not really bother anyone, there is the matter of whether you’re allowed or not. Many cities and counties have passed e-cigarette ordinances as well as big institutions like universities and hospitals.

New Jersey for example recently passed an indoor e-cigarette ban. Now, vapers will have to re-join regular smokers outside.

These are just a few of the most common claims unscrupulous e-cigarette retailers make. Modern Vapor, an online e-cigarette retailer, helps prospective vapers fully understand electric cigarettes. We’re always here to help – whether through our knowledge center and blog – or by email and phone.

To get started enjoying an alternative way of enjoying smoking, check out our line of e-cigarette starter kits or contact us today.

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Prominent Doctor Criticizes FDA Position on Electronic Cigarettes

Monday, October 25th, 2010

As you very well may know, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been strongly critical of the safety of smokeless electronic cigarettes. Some states have even entertained the idea of banning them outright.

In a press conference last year, the FDA claimed these alternative nicotine delivery devices contained harmful “toxins” and “carcinogens” and since there hasn’t been extensive testing as of yet, smokers were urged to stay away from electronic cigarettes.

Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health, was strongly critical of the FDA’s stance in this op-ed piece that appeared in the Washington Times…she claims the agency’s statements were misleading and incomplete and that in her opinion, the FDA has abandoned their long tradition of sticking to sound science when making judgments about particular items.

Whelan says the agency was being truthful about the fact that electronic cigarettes haven’t been through all of the formal FDA safety tests. However, they failed to point out that traditional cigarettes are not harmful because of the various carcinogens and toxins they contain but because a smoker inhales so much smoke with a cigarette.

Otherwise known as “products of combustion,” this inhaled smoke is what causes many of the diseases (i.e. cancer, cardiovascular disease, emphysema and more) that kill an estimated 450,000 people each year.

Electronic cigarettes on the other hand mimic traditional cigarettes in their look and feel but deliver nicotine differently

The FDA also says electronic cigarettes are nicotine delivery devices – that much is true but it’s not the nicotine that kills so many people, it’s the smoke according to Dr. Whelan. Getting the nicotine without the harmful smoke would yield an extraordinary public health benefit Whelan says.

Other nicotine delivery systems like gums and patches have been approved by the FDA but since smoking cessation rates are less than 15% with these products, Dr. Whelan claims they’re an abysmal failure.

Finally, Dr. Whelan claims the FDA was urging e-cigarette ‘vapers’ to call-in and report any adverse effects since they couldn’t find any evidence on their own. Whelan believes the agency intends on banning these devices in the U.S.

In the end, Whelan contends that any alternative to regular cigarettes should be taken seriously since smoking still remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S.  She says that rather than condemning the devices, they should be commissioning studies to determine the true safety of these devices.

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7 Common Myths Surrounding Electric Cigarettes

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

As with any new products or technologies, myths start swirling about their effectiveness or safety…electric cigarettes are no different.

Some of the following myths surrounding electric cigarettes exist because they pose a threat to traditional cigarettes. Myths get started to dissuade people from exploring the novel product.

The following are 7 myths surrounding smokeless electric cigarettes. Read our newest article – 7 Common Myths Surrounding Electric Cigarettes – to learn more about these myths.

Myth #1 – No one knows what’s in an electric cigarette so they must be dangerous

Myth #2 – Electric cigarette juice comes in various flavors to attract teenage users

Myth #3 – Electric cigarettes are being sold to kids

Myth #4 – Electric cigarette companies market nicotine to non-smokers

Myth #5 – You cannot legally market electric cigarettes in the U.S.

Myth #6 – If you can stop people from smoking, why give them an alternative?

Myth #7 – Nicotine is bad for you

These are just 7 of the most common myths regarding electric cigarettes…as the technology develops and more people discover the effectiveness of electric cigarettes, expect more rumors to start flying.

Again, learn some details about each of these myths by reading our newest electric cigarette knowledge center article today.

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