What is electronic cigarette? What does it contain inside?

What is electronic cigarette? Is electronic cigarettes harmful? Two of the many questions related to new cigarettes are popular now. Not long ago a study by the US government-funded Harvard University concluded that 75% of the 51 electronic cigarette oils contained diacetyl, a type of obstructive pneumonia. And that is actually just one of many "mysterious" things inside the device that is said to be "non-toxic" like this traditional cigarette. So what else? Below is what scientists have learned about this mysterious device.

Where do e-cigarettes come from?

Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik - the inventor of modern electronic cigarettes.

In 1963, an American named Herbert A. Gilbert was granted a patent for "smokeless tobacco, not using tobacco". However, electronic cigarettes that people use today are invented by a Chinese pharmacist named Hon Lik.

Hon said that stemming from his own smoking habits and the death of his father's lung cancer, Hon developed and was awarded the first e-cigarette invention in 2003. And then His company started introducing it in the Chinese market, the next few years were other countries in the world.

How does e-cigarette work?

How it works electronic cigarettes.

A small lithium battery is built into a customizable module (also called a mod), which will power a set of nozzles. This ingredient will heat the so-called "essential oil" (usually nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol, with added flavor and coloring).

This solution will turn into steam when heated, then the smoker will suck in and breathe out like a real cigarette. Sellers often call this solution "electronic cigarette essential oil" or "juices" because it has many different fruit flavors, nicotine concentration in it from 0mg to 26mg.

Is electronic cigarettes harmful?

Electronic cigarettes do not have the "burning" movements like traditional cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes do not have the "burning" movement as traditional cigarettes, so there is no burning, so many people believe that it is not as toxic as cigarettes. However, there has not been much research done on the amount of nicotine absorbed when using electronic cigarettes. According to molecular neurologist Crystal Dilworth at the University of California, USA, e-cigarettes may contain fewer carcinogens than traditional cigarettes, but it still contains nicotine and is therefore addictive, and may contain some other toxic substances go under the smoke.

Professor Suzaynn Schick at UC San Francisco agrees with the idea of ​​nicotine in e-cigarettes. She conducted a study of the amount of nicotine in the "essential oil" and the process it turned into smoke vapor absorbed by smokers, while considering its effect on non-smokers. "I found that when you release nicotine into the room, it responds to normal gases in the air and can form a carcinogen," she said.

So in addition to nicotine, we still have many concerns about the substances contained in what the seller calls "essential oils" . And in fact, scientists have conducted some research on other chemicals contained therein.

In addition to nicotine, what does electronic cigarette "essential oil" contain?

The process of refining essential oil at a factory in China.

Until now, electronic cigarettes and "essential oils" have been circulated in many countries without control. It is almost impossible to know all the things inside tobacco essential oils, because there are so many varieties, many origins and even players who mix many types together. In Spain and Wales, the government banned electronic smoking in some public areas. The French government is also considering this. Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to limit e-cigarette sales, marketing and smoking in public places.

Maybe, e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes. So how much safer? Still too much mist obscures the problem. And below is what scientists already know contained in electronic cigarette essential oils.

There are hundreds of different kinds of cigarettes "essential oils".

Country

Many "tobacco essential oils" contain water (H ₂ O). This amount of water will be heated up by a metal coil, turned into smaller water particles mixed with smoke to suck the sucker.

Propylene Glycol

A colorless, odorless, tasteless alcohol (alcohol), often used as an antifreeze, to reduce the freezing temperature of water. This is often considered a safe substance in use in food, medicine and cosmetics. It is also commonly used in artificial smoke or fog machines on the stage, etc. However, it can irritate the lungs and eyes, which can be harmful to people with chronic lung disease such as asthma. , chronic gas congestion, .

Glycerin

A colorless, odorless and slightly sweet chemical. Similar to Propylene Glycol, FDA considers it a safe chemical that can be used in food and medicine. However, according to the pharmacist Maciej Goniewicz, who specializes in tobacco and electronic medicine research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, although Propylene Glycol and Glycerin are considered safe, we still don't know what What if people smoke a large amount of these chemicals for a long time? This is still unknown.

Smell

There are hundreds of different types of tobacco "essential oils" , including those that sound like "nature" like cherry, apple, orange or "sweet" like ice cream cake, chocolate, . or even the real cigarette smell. Dr Goniewicz said: "Many of these odor-forming chemicals are also used in food. However, there is an unspecified problem that when we eat them, we can still be safe, but the What will happen if inhaled "?

On the other hand, manufacturers also did not publish the details of these odorants on the grounds that they were "trade secrets". However, according to research conducted by researchers at Harvard University recently, 75% of the 51 electronic cigarette oils contain diacetyl - a substance that causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

When heating and evaporating: Formaldehyde, Acrolein, Acetaldehyde

It is the flavoring that will hide the true smell Formaldehyde created during suction.

Some toxic chemicals are formed when heating "essential oils" , converting into vapor and mixing into the smoke that smokers inhale. According to Professor Benowitz at the University of California Pharmacy, one of these substances can irritate, cause vasculitis, . cigarettes often also have the appearance of these substances but with much higher concentrations. . Common chemicals when burning electronic cigarette essential oils include:

1. Formaldehyde: a substance that can cause cancer
2. Acetaldehyde: a substance that can also cause cancer
3. Acrolein: formed during the heating of glycerin, can cause lung damage, contributing to cardiovascular disease in smokers.

The concentration of all three substances increases in direct proportion to the temperature of the essential oil when heated. And according to Professor Benowitz, users are often tempted by the temperature because they want more nicotine to crank, they will need to increase the battery's voltage, raise the temperature to burn more. On the other hand, it is the aromas that mask the true odor of Formaldehyde during suction.

Small particles and metal

In electronic cigarettes can also contain small dust particles (Particulates). Traditional tobacco also contains these small dust particles and there have been cases that can harm smokers causing vascular lesions, inflammation, neurological effects, . Density of dust particles in medicine Electronic leaves are similar to real cigarettes but so far, there has not been enough research done to determine the safety / danger of smoking electronic cigarette dust particles.

Toxic metals such as tin, nickel, cadmium, lead and mercury may also appear in the smoke of electronic cigarettes.

So is electronic cigarettes toxic?

Electronic cigarettes are not products that will help you quit smoking.

According to Professor Benowitz: "E-cigarettes are all linked to smoking. Based on what we know to date, it's less dangerous than conventional drugs." However, he admits that there is still too little research on the impact of e-cigarettes on the health of smokers and non-smokers. Finally, experts emphasize: "This is not a product for non-smokers. If you have never smoked, don't try it. There is no reason to try e-cigarettes. Because it contains nicotine and will also be addictive, and it is not a product that will help you quit smoking. "