One in five deaths every year occurs because of cigarette smoking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attribute both smoking and secondhand smoke for these deaths. Smoking cessation is vital to the current population, and electronic cigarettes may or may not aid in combating the addiction. Healthcare workers need to work with their patients to help them quit smoking.
E-cigarettes have been becoming more and more popular throughout the world. What exactly are e-cigarettes? E-cigarettes are a device that mimics the idea of a regular cigarette (Hahn, Riker, & Brown, 2014). The dilemma seen lately with electronic cigarettes is whether or not they are safe for an individual and the public, how they should be regulated, and whether or not they should be taxed like traditional cigarettes. With the use of electronic cigarettes, social, psychological, medical, and policy issues also arise in respect to whether or not electronic cigarettes are an advantage or destruction to the public’s health (Glynn, 2014).
Electronic cigarettes are still very new, meaning there are still many studies that need to be conducted regarding their possible risks to an individual’s health; these types of studies are projected for the future, especially since more and more people are using electronic cigarettes. The literature that is currently out on electronic cigarettes is mainly studies about the e-liquids and e-cigarette emissions themselves. Many researchers have yet to conclude whether secondhand smoke from electronic cigarettes is similar to traditional cigarettes; however, researchers believe electronic cigarettes are safer than traditional tobacco cigarettes. The vapor that is produced from electronic cigarettes is by no means benign; however, it does appear to be safer than traditional cigarettes (Arnold, 2014).
When using electronic cigarettes, an individual may be able to consume a less amount of nicotine in a less injurious way then if they were to use a traditional cigarette that contains 7,000 chemicals with 60 being carcinogens (Glynn, 2014). Individuals may almost instantly have improvements to their health status and respiratory system when using electronic cigarettes over traditional ones. Studies also are showing that there has been a decrease in the sales of tobacco since the introduction of electronic cigarettes. The future of electronic cigarettes in respect to the public health is that they can only improve the public’s health (Perez, 2015).
There are also a variety of cons against the use of electronic cigarettes in regards to how they affect the health of an individual. Studies are still too limited regarding the long term effects of these devices on an individual. An individual who is using an electronic cigarette may not completely be aware of what they are inhaling because of the lack of independent testing on them. Some studies show that they are effective aids in helping an individual quit. The public is concerned with the second hand vapor that may be ingested from electronic cigarettes if individuals are enabled to use them in public places such as restaurants, movie theaters, etc., especially with such a lack of research. The most important downfall many believe about the use of electronic cigarettes is their ability to continue the trend of smoking; by switching to electronic cigarettes, this crushes society’s attempts to try to prevent cigarette use (Glynn, 2014)
The goal of instituting regulations on electronic cigarettes is to get society to eventually become smoke-free (Zak, 2014). The regulations on electronic cigarettes that are trying to be passed by legislation would affect individuals that engage in this type of behavior. These individuals, if living in a state where electronic cigarettes were regulated and also taxed, would suffer from the increase in taxes. Manufacturers and business would also be subject to increased taxes. I live in Massachusetts, and have a several local shops that I have spoken with that sell these devices and have gathered that they are already paying higher fees and taxes. One reason that states with tax power may want to place a tax on electronic cigarettes is to offset the health expenses and costs that go into tobacco control programs (Kaufman & Mahoney, 2015).
Electronic cigarettes have caused a great deal of controversy for regulators who do not have all the information or know potential long term effects of these devices when trying to institute laws regarding them. Many countries have banned the use of these devices. By doing this, criticism and controversy has developed because many feel that if the electronic cigarette is said to be safer than the traditional cigarette, then why is the traditional cigarette still allowed to be sold and consumed by the population? This is the ethical dilemma on hand, and I believe that if one is banned the other should be too. By banning one, and allowing the other to be sold, it is sending the wrong message to the public, when it is well documented the adverse effects traditional cigarettes have on an individual and the population. Research has shown that if there are risks that are identified in future studies of electronic cigarettes, they will still remain a safer option than traditional cigarettes (Cope, 2013).
In conclusion, I would say based on current literature and personal experience with this topic, I support the use of electronic cigarettes. I do feel that more research should be done with them and their long-term effects on the health of an individual. I have seen many people use these devices to quit smoking traditional cigarettes and have had great success while also improving their health status. Some smoke shops offer electronic cigarette e-liquid that has zero nicotine in them as well, meaning traditional smokers that are using them to quit can still fulfill the smoking sensation while avoiding nicotine. Using no nicotine would decrease the multiple adverse effects that nicotine has on the body. While there is still more research that needs to be done, as of right now this seems to be a healthier option if one chooses to engage in this behavior, especially if it will help individuals quit smoking.
Jessica L. Menard
University of Saint Joseph
