E-cigarettes have as much nicotine as real cigarettes: study

[JoeyB]

This article touches upon a couple of the points I'd like to make> First, I think these types of cigarettes are far superior owing to the fact that they're much cleaner (no big tobacco chemical nightmare) and don't hurt those nearby (lack of secondhand smoke). Also, unlike say chaw, they are also not incredibly and freakishly disgusting when you witness them being used.

Pioneering research conducted in Geneva shows that electronic cigarettes often contain as much nicotine as real cigarettes, and twice as much as other replacement therapies such as nicotine patches.


The results of the study, conducted by researchers from the universities of Geneva and Auckland, have been published in the November issue of the European Respiratory Journal.

The report shows that electronic cigarette users and regular smokers have similar levels of cotinine, a product of the degradation of nicotine by the liver.

This is the first time cotinine data has been published after studies on electronic cigarette users in real-life conditions.

Previous laboratory data tracked inexperienced users who tested e-cigarettes briefly before their blood was tested for nicotine. These earlier studies showed that inexperienced users displayed only minor traces of nicotine, or none at all.

The new research conducted with 30 former smokers shows that experienced users in real life conditions receive a dose of nicotine comparable to the amount they would get from actual cigarettes.

In addition, the levels of cotinine in electronic cigarettes have double the amount of nicotine found in other products used by smokers to quit, such as patches, said Jean-François Etter, head of the study and researcher at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine in Geneva.

It’s not all bad news, though. Even if fake cigarettes still contain nicotine, Etter told news agency ATS that smokers who use them “are not exposed to some 4,000 toxic substances present in tobacco cigarettes.”

[Muddy]

Why else would you smoke a cigarette of any type other than to get at the active ingredient?

[Softdreamer]

I remember a distinct change in my life when I gave up smoking. and it wasnt health related.

I suddenly found myself surrounded by the judgemental,self righteous dickheads that had been avoiding me for years.
Its something that was harder to suffer than the actual nicotine cravings.

[JoeyB]

Why else would you smoke a cigarette of any type other than to get at the active ingredient?

Well you wouldn't, which is why these things have nicotine.


I remember a distinct change in my life when I gave up smoking. and it wasnt health related.

I suddenly found myself surrounded by the judgemental,self righteous dickheads that had been avoiding me for years.
Its something that was harder to suffer than the actual nicotine cravings.

I'm highly allergic to cigarette smoke...just passing a smoker can cause me problems, even if they only have smoke on them and aren't firing one up at the moment.

Pipe smoke and cigars don't seem to bother me, so it's clear that one or more of the many hundreds of chemical additives in cigarettes is what does me in.

When I was experiencing my worst reactions, it caused the Eustachian tubes in my head to close up. For a week I was nearly deaf. I could not hear anyone unless they screamed, and the TV on full blast was a quiet conversational level. It made walking difficult. I suffered a small degree of permanent hearing loss in one ear, though, thankfully, I have been blessed with very good hearing and can often hear things others cannot**, so I am quite alright even with the loss. Though, obviously, I need to be careful not to let the problem continue to re-occur.

**=and not just the voices in my head, mind you.

Call me a judgmental, self righteous dickhead if you want, but second hand smoke is a serious problem for me and a lot of other people.

[Softdreamer]

There are alot of side effects from the passive smoking environment other than cancer.
I used to work in pub management, but left the trade just before the change that made smoking inside in the UK outlawed.

When I gave up it was for personal reasons, not health ones. But I was barraged by strangers about how I should have given up sooner, It was a weird time. Socially now I have quite a few friends who still smoke. Something that creates mixed feelings.

Smokers now seem to have their own click, like they have they're own gang and outsiders are not socialised with.

And even thought I fully understand the consequences or active and passive smoking, I believe its a choice a person should be free to make. The same with alcohol or other social drugs.
I do not agree with antisocial drugs though (heroin etc) that are self indulgent and lead to separation from society. Its a weird concept for others to grasp. But I often think that if a drug can encourage social interaction then the benefits of that interaction often outweigh the negative aspects of the drug.

As for calling you a self righteous, judgemental dickhead, I'll leave that to the Republicans :lol:
No malice intended ;)

[Acid Trip]

But I often think that if a drug can encourage social interaction then the benefits of that interaction often outweigh the negative aspects of the drug.



That's a perfect description of Ecstasy. I'll start off the rest by saying I quit smoking cigarettes a little over a year ago.

I have a friend who lives in a town that banned "All indoor smoking on public and private property". Outdoor smoking must be done "more than 20 ft from doors that lead into businesses" as well. I think that goes way too far. If someone wants to open a bar that allows smoking it's not allowed. So the city is telling private businesses that under no circumstances can anyone smoke in their buildings or work vehicles.

If someone wants to have a bar that allows smoking what's the big fucking deal? Non-smokers do not have to go in there. If they don't like smoke they can go somewhere else. Ban smoking in public buildings and restaurants fine, but all businesses? That takes it too far.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Colorado passed a smoking ban in all public and private building a few years ago now...probably like 5 or 6 years now that I think about it. It has the same restrictions as AT mentioned above, if you want to go outside for a smoke when you are at a restaurant or a bar/pub, you have to be at least 20 feet from the doorway (many businesses have lines outside on the sidewalk denoting where you have to be). In fact, the state of Colorado even set up a hotline so you could turn in violators that you saw when you were out. :roll:

I don't smoke and I have never smoked, nor do I ever plan on starting, but I voted against that stupid bill. When I went out to bars on the weekend, I knew I was going to have to put up with people that were smoking, so I just dealt with it. It wasn't a big deal, unless someone was trying to purposely be an asshat and blow smoke directly in your face, but that was an extremely rare occurrence. I tried to get it through people's heads that they should vote against this thing, but nobody would listen to common sense. When they would ask me why I was voting against it, I simply told them that eventually someday the government will go after something you do and enjoy and there will be nobody there to stand up for your rights.

Tobacco is a completely legal and taxed product in this country and if people want to smoke, so be it, that's their decision. People wanting to smoke didn't effect or infringe on my rights, so to legislate it like this is just stupid.

[Acid Trip]

Colorado passed a smoking ban in all public and private building a few years ago now...probably like 5 or 6 years now that I think about it. It has the same restrictions as AT mentioned above, if you want to go outside for a smoke when you are at a restaurant or a bar/pub, you have to be at least 20 feet from the doorway (many businesses have lines outside on the sidewalk denoting where you have to be). In fact, the state of Colorado even set up a hotline so you could turn in violators that you saw when you were out. :roll:

I don't smoke and I have never smoked, nor do I ever plan on starting, but I voted against that stupid bill. When I went out to bars on the weekend, I knew I was going to have to put up with people that were smoking, so I just dealt with it. It wasn't a big deal, unless someone was trying to purposely be an asshat and blow smoke directly in your face, but that was an extremely rare occurrence. I tried to get it through people's heads that they should vote against this thing, but nobody would listen to common sense. When they would ask me why I was voting against it, I simply told them that eventually someday the government will go after something you do and enjoy and there will be nobody there to stand up for your rights.

Tobacco is a completely legal and taxed product in this country and if people want to smoke, so be it, that's their decision. People wanting to smoke didn't effect or infringe on my rights, so to legislate it like this is just stupid.

:+1: :tup: :+1:

[MrsM]

I for one am glad that they banned smoking in public places including bars. I have had 2 family members (grandmother and aunt) that died of lung cancer and they never smoked. However they did work in resturants, bars and halls (for weddings etc).

For some today, work is hard to find. I would not want to make the choice to turn down a job or quit because my employer allowed smoking.

Work places need to ensure the safety of their employees - and to me, allowing smoking in the workplace is not ensuring a safe environment.

I remember people smoking in resturants, movie theaters, etc - it didn't bother me because I didn't really have a reference. However today - with most places banning smoking. If I'm at a place where smoking is allowed - I find it very offensive (similar to if someone was wearing way too much perfume).

[Acid Trip]

For some today, work is hard to find. I would not want to make the choice to turn down a job or quit because my employer allowed smoking.



That's the thing though, you have a choice. A business owner who wants to open a bar (with smoking) should be allowed to do so. Smoking is legal so if the business owner wants that to be apart of his business then why shouldn't it be?

Non-smokers do not have to go there or work there. And getting offended if a place does allow smoking is a terrible reaction. If you don't like it go somewhere else!

[MrsM]

Because like it on not - it's the employers responsibility to ensure the safety of the employees. For some - jobs are hard to come by, you shouldn't have to quit because your employer is not responsible.

As an employer - would you rather be sued when an employee gets lung cancer or some other respiratory problem from their work environment.

Since all indoor spaces where I live are smoke free I don't have to decide based on smoke - but when I travel and a place is smokey... I will not stay or return.

If people want to smoke - that's their choice. By no means am I saying that smoking should be completely banned. What I'm saying is when your right to do someting infringes on others rights then something has to give and needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few.

As for being offended - I probably should have used a different word - I'm not personally offended when I smell smoke at a bar or someplace - I just don't like it. It would be the same reaction if were talking to someone that had really bad breath or way too much perfume on.

[JoeyB]

And remember, owing to the health issues I already described, I do not have a choice about second hand smoke, do I? If people spread it my way, how do I say no? Drop out of society? Is that a fair choice?

I really think things like these E cigarettes are a good idea.

[Pony]

Smokers now seem to have their own click, like they have they're own gang and outsiders are not socialised with.



Yep, pretty much. Us outcasts just seem to naturally stick together.

There's a number of bars in the area that put up outdoor smoking areas after the ban went into effect, some even partially enclose and heat them in the winter to try and keep the smokers comfortable. Occasionally I'll see a not smoker out there whining about us effecting their health. Deal with it or go back inside FFS!

[Pony]

For some today, work is hard to find. I would not want to make the choice to turn down a job or quit because my employer allowed smoking.

Work places need to ensure the safety of their employees - and to me, allowing smoking in the workplace is not ensuring a safe environment.


As far as turning down a job thats a choice. I wouldn't want to go work in a sewer if I was bothered by the smell, and if I chose to go work in a coal mine I would be well aware of the risks to my health. As I am with my line of work.


As far as the bar environment what if 100% of the employees smoke? I just feel the ban was too excessive. I am a smoker and if they would have come up with a lesser option I would have been fine with it. For example, all bars that serve food be non smoking and those remaining have a choice weather to allow it. If they do choose to allow it they must have a ventilation system that can filter x amount of air per y.

I'm not asking that all places be smoke free, just to have a few. Non smokers would still have their choice of 80% of the bars and 100% of the restaurants.