Tobacco.org

Vaping' and e-cigarettes: A new nicotine habit  

If you've ever seen someone holding an electronic cigarette, blowing "smoke" in a nonsmoking area, they are not defying the law. Why? Because it's not smoke, it's water vapor that contains the drug nicotine along with other chemicals. People who use e-cigarettes say that "vaping" - e-cigarette lingo for smoking - satisfies their nicotine craving. But the FDA warns that e-cigarettes may not be safe.

Ask someone why they are puffing on an e-cigarette and they are likely to tell you it's just like smoking or that it tastes good. Some e-cigarettes are flavored. They may tell you they e-smoke to help them quit cigarette smoking. There's no tobacco, like in a regular cigarette. But it does deliver nicotine and other dangerous chemicals from a device that the FDA has not approved. . . .

How does the e-cigarette differ from the nicotine inhaler?

Nicotine inhalers are another form of FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy. You need a doctor's prescription to use them. The inhaler consists of a thin plastic tube. Inside is a cartridge that holds a measured amount of nicotine. You inhale on the mouth end of the tube and nicotine is delivered to the mouth. Again, the cartridges use gradually reduced amounts of nicotine as you withdraw from the drug.

The nicotine inhaler is a proven effective method to help you quit smoking. E-cigarettes are still being researched in clinical trials.

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