Electronic Cigarette
I found something that I believe is one of the coolest things since sliced bread. Its called the electronic cigarette. I was intrigued with this product when I found it browsing the internet, and decided to do some investigating on the electronic cigarette including brands, types and any information available on the different aspects of this product. I was trying to figure out personally if this was something I wanted to buy.
Browsing the internet I found out some interesting things about the “e-cig”, as its also called. The government really doesnt know what to do with it. Although, it has not been approved by the FDA and the great state of Oregon has banned this nifty item until it does get approved. From what I understand, people that have used it, like it. Even though it has not been tested in this country through our system of checks and balances. The FDA really doesn’t know where to catagorize it. Its not a tobacco product, its not a smoking cessation product, however personally I believe it could be used as one if one chose to.
The one thing that struck me the most with the electronic cigarette is that it really is smokeless, the smoke that you see is really a vapor to give the smoker the impression and feel of smoke. And it works. The e-cig has several different nicotine strengths to go along with the same pattern as cigarettes. Basically, 36mg all the way down to 0mg of nicotine can be purchased. Also the flavors that a person can buy are numerous. Thats one of the reasons the FDA is having fits. Some geniuses have stated that due to the different flavors of the e-cig that are available, its targeting children, bubble-gum being one of them. Why does it have to be only children that like bubble-gum? I like bubble-gum and guess what I am an adult and would like that choice. I have four children and none of them smoke. Which I am truly thankful for. I would like to have them grow up in a smoke-free environment, and I believe personally that the electronic cigarette can provide that choice for me and my family. I have tried to quite numerous times, but stressors had me heading back to the nasty tobacco cigarette. I am now on day two of the electronic cigarette and I love it! Also, I don’t miss that nasty tobacco at all!
The FDA states they don’t know what effects this will have on a body, I want to give them a chance to test it, so, let them test me if they would like. I will be a willing, participating test subject for the FDA if they will accept me as one. In my opinion smoking tobacco products doesnt just harm me, the smoke harms and invades my family. The guilt of that weighs greatly on my mind and have gone so far as to isolate myself while smoking. I have tried to quit on numerous occasions and so far am unable to. Spending the money to buy tobacco is invading my finances and the e-cig is cheaper by my calculations. To a non-smoker it might seem easy, but to fellow smokers and ex-smokers you know what I mean. Even as a smoker, when I see a smoker quit I congratulate them and hope they stay an ex-smoker.
To me the electronic cigarette is a great alternative, not just to me but to my family. It can’t be any worse than what I am doing to myself with the tobacco cigarette and I know the electronic cigarette is benefiting my family because they dont have to share my addiction. I ask the government to do testing on this product, I will volunteer for the testing, also, if they choose to, the FDA can place a warning on the e-cig stating that they have not been tested, just like there is a warning on tobacco products. Just don’t take away what could potentially be a great product not just for people but for the environment. Imagine, no cigarette butts thrown everywhere, no smoke and no nasty ashtrays, just because you feel it might have risks. I have been told that Bar-B-Qing has risks for cancer, are we going to ban Bar-B-Qing (dont know if I spelled that right)?
Test it, give us the results and don’t be our mother. Americans are not stuiped and we don’t need government interventions, just knowledge and information to make the choices. In my opinion, there are so many legal prescription drugs that I am amazed just from watching the commercials, the side-effects seem to outweigh the benefits, or we as americans find out that the FDA approved prescription medication that we took years ago caused our liver to fail, or multiple miscarriages now. So, truthfully the FDA is not fullproof by any means, despite good intentions.
My main point is test the item, let us know what the risks are and let the american citizens make the choice. Don’t take away my choice. That is why I am proud to be american. I am free, I am safe and I have choices.
Now that my ranting and probably unheard voice to the FDA and the government is done I want to let you all know through this blog how the e-cig is effecting me and my life on a daily or weekly basis. I will be updating this blog as much as I possibly can on my experience with the electronic cigarette along with information on my online store. I invite any comments or questions. So far like I stated before, day two and loving it. I have found it to be enjoyable, however there are a couple of little quirks. I have to have a little different sucking action on the electronic cigarrette, (no pun intended) which was a little frustrating at first, and its heavier of course, so its harder to hold it like a traditional cigarette. Funniest thing I have dealt with is, where do I set it down at? How do I carry it around when Im not using it? Because it is an electronic item, dont just let it bounce around in the bottom of a purse or back pocket, they can break.
I had a great time showing everyone at work the “NEW” way of smoking, and everyone was impressed. I even get to smoke in the office, everyone is jealous. I guess you can’t call it smoking though, I think vaporing is the new term. The taste of the regular tobacco filter tastes like a cigar to me. It has a sweet taste like a cigar and everyone I showed said they saw the vapor that looked like smoked but couldnt smell a thing. I have read though, that the flavored ones give a slight hint of that flavor in the air.
To me this product is only a win, win situation. I win, my family wins and I will be truly disappointed in the FDA and the United States governiment if they don’t give this product a chance. If anyone is interested in this product and they want to research it ,the basic search terms are: E-Cig, electronic cigarette, e-cigarette.
Here is a great forum I found: E-cig Forum