The major difference between the two types is straight forward. Real cigarettes burn tobacco meanwhile electronic cigarettes use battery propelled heat to vaporize propylene glycol or varying amounts of nicotine that is present in the cartridge. Without any real smoke, the vapor is inhaled by the user.
The American Food and Drug Administration had threatened to ban the sale of e-cigs half a dozen anti-smoking groups have fiercely opposed them. The main concern is the safety of e-cigs and how it is being sold to children. Lobbyists who represent tobacco companies have pressed the FDA to take action against the e-cigs companies, because they fear threat to their own profits.
Nicotine liquid is dangerous to the skin, and there are uncertainties about the long term use of propylene glycol as well. Regulators fear that not much research has been carried out to know the contents of the vapor and its effects. There is a lack of health warnings on the packaging. Environmentalists are concerned that insufficient precautions to dispose of e-cigs can cause environmental risk of nicotine contamination.
Marketing of e-cigs has faced a lot of heat. Nicotine addiction among the younger generation may increase and kids are attracted to buy electronic cigarette. Since e-cigs come in different flavors like chocolate, cherry and fruit, this may tempt some of the adolescents to try it for the first time. They are shaped and look like a normal cigarette. So this increases the appeal of smoking. They can be easily purchased online so minors can easily misuse them.
Brazil, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Thailand have all banned e-cigs. E-cigs have not been fully assessed by the FDA for their usefulness or safety. But some lab tests were conducted after which it was found that the quality control processes are inadequate. Carcinogen levels in e-cigs are 1000 times lower than in real cigarettes. However, since full research hasn’t yet been conducted into e-cigs, therefore it cannot be claimed that they are one hundred percent safe as their manufacturing companies do.