Still wondering whether you should try out e-cigs? It's not just a great way to leave your smoking habit, it's a great alternative too. We will take a look at the rising e-cig culture in two markets of the world - Europe and the U.S.
What is an E-cigarette?
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, have gained an enviable liking throughout the globe. There are many reasons why more and more people are taking it up such as the belief that it can help some smokers quit and are considered to be relatively safer than smoking tobacco. However, more research is going to be undertaken to determine the long-term health effects that it can have.
How does it work?
It is an electronic device that heats up a liquid that creates the aerosol that is inhaled by the user. This aerosol is also known as ‘vapour’ and perhaps, that is the reason why using e-cigarettes is also known as vaping. The liquid that is heated up is known as the e-liquid which is made up of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine and other flavorings.
Just like everything else on this planet, there are both advantages and disadvantages to vaping. Firstly, it is not as toxic as the nicotine cigarettes that everyone is trying to quit. It is less risky and can also help some of the addicts quit cigarettes.
However, non-smokers could easily get addicted to it which could further lead to them getting hooked on to cigarettes. Many children now have easy access to it which can also lead to them getting picked up the habit of smoking.
E-cigarettes in the US:
The advent of technology is seen everywhere in the world today and the United States is no exception. Technology has also invaded the comfortable space that cigarettes enjoyed and e-cigarettes have been warmly welcomed with open arms by the Americans, especially the teenagers. Approximately 16% of American high school students are addicted to e-cigarettes and in 2015, a whopping 3 million students were vaping which was up by half a million when compared to the previous year.
Since it is still relatively new and its harmful side effects have not yet been firmly established, many students pick up electronic cigarettes in their attempts to fit into the ‘cool’ group. The fact that cigarette prices are on the rise, make this option more attractive to many of them.
What are the authorities doing?
The authorities are very much aware of the huge popularity that e-cigarettes are enjoying and the state governments and health regulators are working hard to pass rules and regulations to monitor and reduce the consumption of electronic cigarettes among adults as well as teenagers. Earlier, it was legal in most of the public places in the United States, however, cities like Los Angeles have now restricted the places where they can be used. While some states allow it to be used freely, some of them have completely banned it.
E-cigarettes in Europe:
The United States is not the only one that is grappling with the e-cigarettes menace. Although it was first made in China, these electronic cigarettes are quickly taking over the American and European markets where teenagers and adults are getting addicted to it, simply because they feel it is safer than the usual cigarettes. Europe is doing everything possible to bring the popularity and consumption of e-cigarettes in control.
A lot of hard work has gone in convincing people that smoking is not cool and extremely harmful to health. As such, nobody is happy about e-cigarettes bringing back the smoking glamour that had once started to diminish.
What the European authorities are doing:
While it was unrestricted in Europe earlier, the European Parliament has now passed several rules that were earlier applicable only to tobacco, but now apply to electronic cigarettes as well. These new rules imply that they will no longer be advertised in Europe, the product will have to be childproof and the packages must have warnings printed on them to name a few.
While the FDA is the United States is still dragging its feet, the state governments have gone ahead and taken the steps that they consider necessary to control and supervise the use of e-cigarettes. Europe, on the other hand, has passed strict laws and regulations that are going to have a severe impact on this monstrous industry and likely to get challenged in the courts.
What is an E-cigarette?
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, have gained an enviable liking throughout the globe. There are many reasons why more and more people are taking it up such as the belief that it can help some smokers quit and are considered to be relatively safer than smoking tobacco. However, more research is going to be undertaken to determine the long-term health effects that it can have.
How does it work?
It is an electronic device that heats up a liquid that creates the aerosol that is inhaled by the user. This aerosol is also known as ‘vapour’ and perhaps, that is the reason why using e-cigarettes is also known as vaping. The liquid that is heated up is known as the e-liquid which is made up of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine and other flavorings.
Just like everything else on this planet, there are both advantages and disadvantages to vaping. Firstly, it is not as toxic as the nicotine cigarettes that everyone is trying to quit. It is less risky and can also help some of the addicts quit cigarettes.
However, non-smokers could easily get addicted to it which could further lead to them getting hooked on to cigarettes. Many children now have easy access to it which can also lead to them getting picked up the habit of smoking.
E-cigarettes in the US:
The advent of technology is seen everywhere in the world today and the United States is no exception. Technology has also invaded the comfortable space that cigarettes enjoyed and e-cigarettes have been warmly welcomed with open arms by the Americans, especially the teenagers. Approximately 16% of American high school students are addicted to e-cigarettes and in 2015, a whopping 3 million students were vaping which was up by half a million when compared to the previous year.
Since it is still relatively new and its harmful side effects have not yet been firmly established, many students pick up electronic cigarettes in their attempts to fit into the ‘cool’ group. The fact that cigarette prices are on the rise, make this option more attractive to many of them.
What are the authorities doing?
The authorities are very much aware of the huge popularity that e-cigarettes are enjoying and the state governments and health regulators are working hard to pass rules and regulations to monitor and reduce the consumption of electronic cigarettes among adults as well as teenagers. Earlier, it was legal in most of the public places in the United States, however, cities like Los Angeles have now restricted the places where they can be used. While some states allow it to be used freely, some of them have completely banned it.
E-cigarettes in Europe:
The United States is not the only one that is grappling with the e-cigarettes menace. Although it was first made in China, these electronic cigarettes are quickly taking over the American and European markets where teenagers and adults are getting addicted to it, simply because they feel it is safer than the usual cigarettes. Europe is doing everything possible to bring the popularity and consumption of e-cigarettes in control.
A lot of hard work has gone in convincing people that smoking is not cool and extremely harmful to health. As such, nobody is happy about e-cigarettes bringing back the smoking glamour that had once started to diminish.
What the European authorities are doing:
While it was unrestricted in Europe earlier, the European Parliament has now passed several rules that were earlier applicable only to tobacco, but now apply to electronic cigarettes as well. These new rules imply that they will no longer be advertised in Europe, the product will have to be childproof and the packages must have warnings printed on them to name a few.
While the FDA is the United States is still dragging its feet, the state governments have gone ahead and taken the steps that they consider necessary to control and supervise the use of e-cigarettes. Europe, on the other hand, has passed strict laws and regulations that are going to have a severe impact on this monstrous industry and likely to get challenged in the courts.
