Unlike conventional tobacco, ENDS provide a cigarette-like experience via a battery-operated atomizer that vaporizes liquid-based nicotine from a small cartridge when the user inhales. Although ENDS are available from a variety of manufacturers (including tobacco companies), these devices are notregulated. People are perceiving ENDS as less harmful than cigarettes and are utilizing these devices as part of a smoking-cessation protocol. Evidence that this is effective is mixed.
Besides the reputation for being a “healthier” alternative, some ENDS offer features not found in traditional cigarettes, such as nicotine cartridges in appealing flavors and a variety of nicotine strengths. The concentration in the liquid-filled cartridges can range from nicotine-free loads of 0.0 percent to as much as 5.4 percent nicotine.
While reports indicate that older people—that often are traditional cigarette smokers—may use ENDS as an aid to quit smoking, avoid relapse or decrease the amount of their cigarette smoking, evidence to substantiate this is lacking.
Currently, ENDS are easily available to the youth be- cause there is no federal regulation on the sale of ENDS to minors (though some state and local governments have passed legislation banning the practice). While easily available is one reason young children may be accessing these products, another finding is that young people tend to try e-cigarettes because of the variety of enticing scents and flavors. Because of this, ENDS can often become a “gateway” to traditional cigarette smoking.
ENDS are available easily and should not be considered “harmless,” as they have not been out long enough to form an established opinion on their safety.
Source: Jonathan Richter, DDS, FAGD, is a dentist at Cardiodontal, located at 310 E. Shore Rd., Ste. 101, Great Neck. Call 516-282-0310 for an appointment.
