E-cigarettes: fresh air or smoke and mirrors?

yes its all about the hit in the lungs i tried everything and then gave up giving up now i have ben vaping for 2 years and no tobacco yea!

"Proponents argue that vaping isn’t only safe but is helping people quit smoking."

. . . while maintaining a nicotine habit and selling to a whole new generation.

You might wonder, if a smoker wants to quit, wouldn't they want to know for sure they weren't doing something just as bad or worse than smoking for themselves? Wouldn't they want to know for sure children would make the same mistake they made in regard to their health? Using Nicotine products.

Vaping still seems a chemical habit built on a repetitive behavior, the rest is just marketing and spin.

Most doctors would probably advise against inhaling vapor into the lungs. That should be good enough for most. Vaping does not come without risk and known harms.

kcjapan MAR. 12, 2014 - 10:16AM JST

Vaping does not come without risk and known harms.

True enough, but liquid has far less chemicals and industrial poisons than normal cigs, so it's very likely the health risks are far far less. Reducing risk in one area of your life might help reduce it in other areas such as getting off the 'Standard American Diet' of high carbs, sugar and artificial ingredients.

How is the second hand "vapor" on this stuff?

Most doctors would probably advise against inhaling vapor into the lungs.

Impossible to breathe without inhaling vapor.

I'm not sure why this article focuses on high-end NYC emporiums and the hipsters frequenting them. They sell these things at conbini in Japan as well, they are dirt cheap.

Critics believe e-cigs may serve as a tobacco gateway

No one will ever get on to normal cigarettes after vaping because they taste like cigarettes - no one actually likes that taste - especially after you've been smoking something like cherry, caramel or chocolate banana.

Whether vaping is cheaper than cigarettes is up to how much is spent on equipment and liquids and how often one vapes

Except in Australia where we get price gouged for everything because of 'isolated location logistics costs' and huge gubbmint excises. Here if you swap cigarettes for vaping you will be spending at the most 1/10 to 1/4 per year on vaping even if you tinker with your gear.

... liquid has far less chemicals and industrial poisons than normal cigs ...

Also, IF I am not wrong, then these liquids sold in JP don't even contain nicotine. Source: some recent report on JP TV, forgot which channel it was.

kcjapan: the nicotene is not the harmful element, it is the awful chemicals that form part of the tobacco plant, as well as other things that tobacco companies add.

Otherwise, it is a mild drug, akin to caffeine in its impact as a narcotic. Perhaps somewhat more addictive, but with the benefit that it is harder to overdose on.

In itself, there is nothing particularly wrong with it, as long as you are able to mentally disassociate it from tobacco.

Is vaping equivalent to smoking a hookah? For me, a nonsmoker, if EVERYONE on the streets of Tokyo was vaping, would I no longer be threatened by their thoughtless clouds of cancerous chemicals? That is the main issue for me. Addicted drinkers, for instance, can sit next to me in a bar or restaurant, but their problem does not become my problem. Smokers now, exhaling their clouds of noxious chemicals, means I am not enjoying my meal/drink, and will have to wash all my clothes (and me) the second I get home to wash away the dangerous stink of possible CANCER causing chemicals. The gall of smokers today is truly depressing.

, if EVERYONE on the streets of Tokyo was vaping, would I no longer be threatened by their thoughtless clouds of cancerous chemicals?

We'd be 99% less threatened. Smokers and non-smokers, everybody benefits if e-cigs replaces classic cigs. Only ciggy industry is threatened. By bankruptcy. So they use the 1% of remaining nuisance to lobby against it.

How is the second hand "vapor" on this stuff?

It's mostly vapor, which means water. That's comparable to using after-shave or perfume. That could affect allergic people if they are too close, so certainly vaping shouldn't be allowed in hospitals, trains, schools, etc. Smoking generates smoke with lots of toxic dust, that stays hours suspended in the air, and even weeks deposited in the room, on clothes, bedsheets.

Since I'm going to new york this summer, I'll try this bar

It's mostly vapor, which means water. That's comparable to using after-shave or perfume.

Huh??

Politicians are going crazy because they haven't enacted a tax on vaping (except for Australia, apparently), and the cigarette companies are going nuts (and lobbying like crazy) because vaping is going to take a big chunk of their business.

I started vaping in July 2011, after 32 years of smoking. Within 4 days, I was done with cigarettes. Within 5 months, I was done with vaping. I haven't had a cigarette since. What's the bigger risk - vaping for 5 months, or smoking for the rest of my life?

Nicotine: Ah_so sez . . . "Otherwise, it is a mild drug, akin to caffeine in its impact as a narcotic. Perhaps somewhat more addictive,"

My goodness, Nicotine is mildly addictive? What are you smoking?

Most vape fans claim vape saved their lives, they quit cigs and now don't vape. Hurrah! Who's kidding who?

"Tobacco is as addictive as heroin" - search or see source: http://www1.umn.edu/perio/tobacco/nicaddct.html

Vaping is a Nicotine delivery system, period, end of. If there weren't Nicotine in vape nobody would vape because it looks too stupid to believe. Face it. If you want cookie flavor you don't vape, you have a cookie.

Mildly addictive? Spin and Marketing Alert!

Read and Think: http://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/29/magazine/nicotine-harder-to-kickthan-heroin.html

I'm with RangerMiffy on this. I've got a few friends that can't let go of their cigs and it's a pain to be around or near anyone with the burning tobaccy. I know that when people have e-cigs I don't feel like I can't breathe from second hand smoke. The vapor doesn't carry for blocks, where real cigs do. For the love of all that is good in this world, if all smokers moved to e-cigs, the world would be a happier place.

"if all smokers moved to e-cigs, the world would be a happier place"

In fair consideration, imagine if the efforts to grow tobacco could be turned to producing food? In the end, if the worst of tobacco can be eliminated (the tragic loss of life), by safe means; some better world may be realized, for health and wealth for millions and millions of people.

After 40 yrs of smoking these nic-sticks are a big help after the rules were changed on smoking at the airports as well as most public places, i would use the nicotine cartridges for long flights. But the ANTI ANTI's in the world don't even want to give these smokeless products a pass,as they aren't "Progressive " enough for their self rightious tastes.

"Progressive " enough for their self rightious tastes." ?

This, of course, ignores the Nicotine delivery system that hooks new and established smokers. If the smoker wishes to quit, and vape helps, fine. Just don't kid yourself.

A Nicotine delivery system, vaping, is an addiction devise sold as a solution to addiction.

If nicotine abatement were possible through patches and pills, why promote and sell to young people, children, the benefits of sucking on and electronic heater that gasses the user with an addictive compound?

Anyone who praises the vape without acknowledging the obvious failure of the product to protect people from Nicotine poisoning is living in a fantasy world.

Maybe the Unicorns will come and stop this new form of junkie making cancer stick. In other words, don't lie to yourself and don't lie to children. Vaping is an addiction tool and smoking is really just too stupid.