Few smoke and doubts about electronic cigarettes

Maybe the image of someone holding between fingers an electronic cigarette (e- cig ) follow arousing curiosity, but considering that its consumption has tripled in the last two years , is no longer a rarity. According to a report by Euromonitor International research agency spending habits , sales of electronic cigarettes in the world in 2012 reached 2,000 million euros. In Europe exceeded 500 million euros and now represent between 2 and 3% of total sales of the tobacco industry , with a consumption of 7 million vaporizers. In Spain , studies by the industry itself estimated at about 900,000 the number of vapeadores , which would mean about 10 % of traditional smoking . Across the country there are already over 300 specialty stores. And all this despite the fact that there is still no conclusive study about their health risks or its effectiveness as a method to quit snuff , one of the main reasons that lead many users to try. " The price seems unobtrusive enough to give it a try ," says Mario (34 years) , smoking daily pack and a newcomer to the world of e- cig . " I opted for the mode without nicotine I just wear a week, but clearly reduces the psychological monkey. moment I managed to lower my consumption to half normal cigarettes. the key , he adds, is that , unlike patches, gum or lozenges , here if you do the gesture smoking, and you think , though, of course , do not have that punch of habitual cigarette throat . I advise to reduce consumption , but would not say it is a remedy to quit . " In 2008 , the World Health Organization made ​​it clear that it is not proven that electronic cigarettes will serve to quit. And the British Medical Journal warned that , in fact, may represent a way to retain the habit among those who want to leave and to return to their consumption socialize indoors. In this sense, the Spanish Association Against Cáncerdestaca that " smokers have become accustomed to staying quit for hours ( ... ) and for many, has been an incentive to try to quit smoking completely . If you start using the electronic cigarette, they become accustomed to using a cigarette substitute in areas where they had learned to live without smoking " . Regarding their health effects , there is no consensus at the moment ( largely because the substances including vary from one brand to another) , although warnings. The American Society of Chest Physicians has determined that the product has adverse effects on the lungs and breathing capacity , a conclusion shared the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) indicates that some of the components of all brands , such as distilled water , vegetable glycerin or glycerol and propylene glycol ( potentially carcinogenic ) - can be risky . Except nicotine, these liquid substances are commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The risks are studied focus on whether these products , inhaled rather than ingested , can be harmful. Earlier this year , scientists at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute of Buffal (USA ) published a study, funded by a pharmaceutical treatments against smoking and a manufacturer of e- cigarettes, according to which those who inhale the vapor of this product may be exposed to nicotine but not other chemicals in smoke snuff . To Helena ( 40), its commitment to the electronic cigarette is all about health and the economy . "Normally you only smoke with friends, and with electronic cigarettes I enjoy the social aspect of smoking making less damage to my body not I see particularly addictive. vapeos After a few no longer need to continue smoking . and a rechargeable pack is expensive, but the liquid nicotine is cheap , so that in the end cost less than traditional cigarettes. " In Spain , the price of electronic cigarette ranges between 30 and 60 euros , depending on the brand and kits (you can buy just the cigarette or include rechargeable battery , charger, replacement cartridges ) . Each cartridge , the price varies between 6 and 10 euros, given to an average of 600 puffs .