In France, nearly a million people “vapot” regularly, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. This popularity also seems to have gained in the United States where sales for this type of product increased from $ 5 million in 2007 to $ 500 million in 2012, according to UBS Investment Research. However, it is difficult to define exactly the number of followers since a large part of the sales is done on the Internet.

Comdoes an electronic cigarette work?

Also known as an e-cigarette, the electronic cigarette is designed to look like a real cigarette. On most models, the tip will turn red when inhaled. Thus, the e-smoker has the impression of having a real smoking experience.

The electronic cigarette has three distinct parts :

The cartridge. It serves as a reservoir for the liquid, or e-liquid, made up of various chemicals, with or without nicotine.

The atomizer. It is responsible for the vapor produced after inhaling the liquids contained in the cartridge.

The batteries. It simply allows you to feed the e-cigarette in energy. The majority models can be reloaded.

By inhaling, the e-smoker activates the mechanism which makes the link between the atomizer and the cartridge, which produces a cloud of vapor during the exhalation. Compared to traditional cigarettes, smoke is less disturbing and may therefore appear to be less harmful to health.

Variable chemical compounds

The liquid in the cartridge contains two essential elements: propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Propylene glycol is responsible for the vapor produced by electronic cigarettes since it is a humectant. It is particularly used in nightclubs to produce special effects and as a non-corrosive antifreeze. Clinical trials in animals conclude that this chemical can cause eye and skin irritation as well as nosebleeds¹. However, research cannot determine the long-term effects of inhaling this product on humans. The same goes for vegetable glycerin. Some studies have nevertheless shown that at high temperature this substance produces acrolein, a chemical compound that is harmful to the lungs and the cardiovascular system.².

To these two elements can be added several other chemicals which vary from one manufacturer to another without being the subject of precise regulations as well as artificial flavors (strawberry, vanilla, tobacco, etc.). Health Canada prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes with nicotine. However, those containing them are easy to obtain on the internet. Nicotine is not only addictive, but also increases blood pressure and speeds up the heart rate. The World Health Organization (WHO), the National Medicines and Health Products Safety Agency (MSNA) as well as Health Canada have all issued an advisory urging people to exercise caution about to the consumption of such a product.

Smoking cessation product, really?

Although many manufacturers and distributors put forward arguments stating that it is an effective means to fight against smoking, to date, no competent authority has approved the electronic cigarette in this sense. . In Canada, all products intended for smokers who want to get rid of their addiction must be endorsed by Health Canada, whether they are chewing gums, nicotine patches, lozenges or others. Some studies have shown that the use of electronic cigarettes during a smoking cessation process reduces the feeling of craving and improves respiratory functions.^3-4 . Researchers contradict each other on the weaning power of the e-cigarette: many argue that research on the subject must be carried out on thousands of users for the results to be conclusive. 

Mélissa Archambault – PasseporSanté.net

BONNARD N. & al. “Toxicological sheet: Propylene glycol”. National Institute of Research and Security. 2010. Online. ETTER JF., “Electronic cigarette: a survey of users” in BMC Public Health, 2010, [online] http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/231 DAWKINS L. & al. : “” Vaping ”profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users.” Article first published online: March 28, 2013, DOI: 10.1111 / add.12150. ETTER JF., “The electronic cigarette: an alternative to tobacco? »In Alcohology and Addictology – Editorial, number 34 (4), 263-264 pp., December 2012.