What is an electronic cigarette?

Electronic cigarettes are small devices that look very similar to normal tobacco cigarettes, but instead of tobacco leaves that create smoke, they contain a nicotine solution that provides water vapor. Although they have been introduced to the consumers' market only recently, their popularity is steadily growing among people who want to quit smoking or who want to engage in an alternative smoking routine. Electronic cigarettes have been designed to provide a viable alternative to smokers who are not satisfied with their habit and want to transition to a different experience.

To recreate the actual smoking experience and make it as similar as possible to traditional smoking, electronic cigarettes are designed to satisfy the nicotine cravings by providing the smoker with a vaporized nicotine solution. The general structure of an electronic cigarette includes a cartridge filled with nicotine liquid with various flavors, which also serves as a mouthpiece. The second element of an electronic cigarette is the atomizer, which is actually a heating element that transforms the nicotine, flavored solution into vapor that the smoker will inhale. The third element is a power supply, which also contains the necessary circuitry for the whole product.The main difference between what the smoker inhales when using an electronic cigarette as compared to a traditional cigarette is that the nicotine-containing water vapor does not have carbon monoxide, tar and substances that were reported to cause cancer. The liquid used to fill the electronic cigarette cartridge is basically a solution of nicotine and flavors that the smoker can choose depending on his or her preferences. The device's cartridge may be refilled every time the liquid is totally consumed, although electronic cigarettes for one-time use do exist. The cost of an electronic cigarette is significantly higher than the cost of a pack of traditional cigarettes; however, in the long run, the device may be a good investment, because it may be refilled multiple times and usually has a quite long functional lifetime.

Electronic cigarettes today.

The modern electronic cigarette is an electrical device that was developed as an alternative to regular cigarettes. People commonly use this device to aid them in their desire to quit smoking. The electronic cigarette was invented in China circa 2004. Unlike regular cigarettes that have tar, tobacco, ash and carbon monoxide, the electronic cigarette or "e-cigarette" does not have these ingredients.

Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik, developed the device. Lik was a smoker who had a family history of smoking. After the death of his father who smoked two packs a day and died of lung cancer, Lik was motivated to find an alternative to his smoking habit. He tried to quit but found that he was unable to do so. He did not want to suffer the same fate as his father, so he started using his knowledge of Chinese medicines to help him in his project.Lik wanted to simulate the act of users breathing in and out smoke. He ended up using a food additive, propylene glycol, which turned into a vapor when it was heated. Along with the glycol, pure nicotine extract and flavoring, Lik was able to recreate the experience of smoking a real cigarette. So much so, that many people were unable to tell the difference. The nicotine, sensation of the smoke hitting the throat and the exhale were all duplicated in such a way that the e-cigarette became a hit.The e-cigarette was introduced in the Chinese market in 2005 through Golden Dragon Holdings, later named Ruyan. The international patent was approved in 2007, and the first major American debut of the electronic cigarette was at the American Tobacco Expo in Las Vegas. Now, this device is found at mall kiosks and other locations and has spawned the invention of other smoking cessation devices such as e-hookahs, electronic pipes and electronic cigars. Continuous improvements are being made to the design of electronic cigarettes due to technological advances with battery life and LED tips.

Electronic cigarettes are gaining popularity.

E-cigarettes are gaining popularity, as their classic tobacco counterparts increase in price and decrease in number of users. A search reveals several large forums, educational websites and many user-made videos dedicated to the device. Now, purchasing an e-cigarette is as simple as walking into a convenience store or going to one of the many online retailers who offer the equipment, accessories and upgrades. Celebrity association boosts its reputation as  well. A visit to one of the larger forums devoted to "vaping", a slang term for using an e-cigarette derived from the vapor, not smoke, produced, is a possibly overwhelming experience for a novice. There are members who are self-proclaimed "experts" on the devices and pages of information. There are also debates on everything from which brand of e-cigarette is the best choice to which company produces the best version of a flavor of liquid.A visit to a popular video site will return many results. E-cigarette users have produced videos for every aspect of e-cigarette ownership, such as the care and maintenance of the device. Many videos are reviews of e-liquid, commonly known as "juice", the e-cigarette's tobacco equivalent. Websites devoted to quickly turning a curious information seeker, with no knowledge of the subject, into an informed consumer are becoming more numerous as time passes.Celebrity use or endorsement is one way to gauge a product's popularity. The e-cigarette received a celebrity boost last year. A story stated during the planning of the Royal Wedding, Kate Middleton, a reputed former smoker, received an e-cigarette when she began smoking again due to stress. While this tale is not validated, the boost in notoriety the e-cigarette received is undeniable. Regardless of why people are choosing the e-cigarette, the fact remains that many more are choosing to give the e-cigarette a try, creating a burgeoning market.