ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE – SUBSTITUTE FOR A TOBACCO CIGARETTE
Jane ALEKSOSKI
Abstract
The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) was patented and manufactured in 2004 by Lik Hun of the Chinese corporation Ruyan. It was officially introduced in Europe in 2006. From the very beginning, it was promoted as a replacement for tobacco cigarettes. The idea for its patenting arose from the need to reduce the harmful effects on the health of tobacco smokers. By using e-cigarettes, smokers continue the smoking habit, integrated into their daily lives. The World Health Organization points to the health risks of smokers, as well as the greater harm of tobacco cigarettes, compared to e-cigarettes. Its focus is to protect the young population, among whom the number of e-cigarette smokers is rapidly increasing.
The aim of the paper is to introduce readers to what an e-cigarette is, the history of its existence, and its way to use, and to make a modest contribution to smokers' feelings and the risks to their health through surveys.
From our studies resulting from surveys of 30 e-cigarette smokers – randomly found, who were former smokers of tobacco cigarettes, we concluded that: 16.7% feel afraid for their health, 6.7% suffer from respiratory system diseases, 3.3% have some heart disease or circulatory problems, 23.3% feel addicted to smoking e-cigarettes, 33.3% often need a tobacco cigarette, 53.3% smoke up to 5/daily, 40% smoke up to 10/daily, and 6.7% smoke more than 10/daily. 40% of those surveyed feel great when they smoke an e-cigarette. The current research regarding the harmfulness of e-cigarettes is hypothetical and requires a serious approach and future long-term studies.
Pages: 88 - 97