The Positive Impacts Of E-cigarettes As An Alternative To Tobacco Cigarettes

Introduction

The electronic cigarettes are predominantly known as e-cigarettes, that are operated by battery device. E-cigarettes are quite different from normal cigarettes that contain nicotine. The e-cigarettes work in this way; they do not combust tobacco, they are designed in a way that they consist of cartridges filled with nicotine and other chemicals, the liquid chemicals are heated by the e-cigarettes which converts vapour into steam. The focal point of this essay will be medical issues related to e-cigarettes, the legal issue on e-cigarettes and the impact it has on the environment. The aim of this essay is to analyse the positive impact that the e-cigarettes have on the environment, human beings and the economy.

Many South Africans are now attempting to give up the most harmful life threatening cigarettes and are upgrading to e-cigarette version, the trend only hit South Africa recently but was long introduced back in 2004, when it was globally introduced to the market. As the trend has taken over, and with its popularity increasing, the appearance came about as the same time with the intensifying attempt by government and society to reduce tobacco smoking through stricter limitations on its sale and use as they were aimed for the recreational nicotine use that can potentially eliminate the need to smoke tobacco.

Legal Issue

Confusion around the legislation surrounding the e-cigarettes and vaping is that both are treated as tobacco products, but do not contain tobacco at all, but it is different as tobacco smoking relies on burning tobacco, which is the one causing health risks, while the vapour relies on a gentle heating process to deliver the nicotine. “Cigarettes” (the word) is the one causing the legislation confusion. E-cigarettes in South Africa aren't covered by the Tobacco Products Control Act, or by the Medicine or Related Substance Control Act. It seems as combustion and smoke prevent e-cigarettes to be regarded as cigarettes, they do not fall under the Medicine Act because a lot of people are using it for their own enjoyment. While it falls into the gap between it being a medicine and it being smoked, there has been calls locally for it to be classified under both sets of legislation, it should fall under Medicine Act because it is medically regarded as the least dangerous with lower risks and under the Tobacco Act because it should be regarded as a health risk like tobacco products.

Medical

The debate on whether e-cigarettes are safe has spiraled. There has not been any concrete proof that they are safe, many people use it as a way to kick the habit of smoking. Although scientists have argued that the vapour produced by e-cigarette is toxic and overtime slowly leads to poisoning oneself. Those general claims have not been tested and monitored for usage over a long term period, which makes the scientists’ views and debate inclusive. It has been made available in many stores around the country, even medical stores in pharmacies such as clicks. There is not even one study that is concrete enough to prove that e-cigarette is more harmful than smoking a regular cigarette, it is just more of medical “assumptions” to put it in a more truthful way.

The people who actually use it and personally know the effects have claimed to go as far as saying “it can save lives”. Even medical journals have shown that there are clear benefits of the usage of e-cigarettes. Ever since the brand has been released it has been growing and many users have praised the device. Derek Yach, South African analyst of international health and senior vice president of the vitality group has said in numerous reports that there are benefits to e-cigarettes.

It is obvious that electronic cigarettes are less deadly than regular cigarettes as cigarettes smoking is a uniquely dangerous addiction. Medical experts say cigarettes are the number one cause of preventable deaths and they kill hundreds of people each and every year, that is more deaths than HIV, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, motor vehicle accidents and firearms combined. As smoking increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, diabetes and most cancers. Cigarettes even physically age the human body, smoking cigarettes reduces your lifespan by at least 10 years. A burning cigarette gives off noxious gases, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide also gives off tar, most of the carcinogens in cigarette smoke are found in tar.

Therefore, the major benefit of e-cigarette, compared to regular cigarettes is that they do not produce tar or the toxic gases found in cigarette smoke instead the e-cigarette contains a fluid popularly known as e-liquid which is made up of nicotine and flavorings dissolved in propylene glycol and glycerin. The e-liquid is super-heated by a battery powered vaporizer converting into a mist which is inhaled or vaped. Vaping does introduce some harmful substances that accompany cigarette smoke into the body, but research suggests that the levels present are e-cigarettes are much lower. People who switch to e-cigarettes can expect to reduce their cancer risk because of reduced exposure to the carcinogens in tobacco smoke.

Users of e-cigarettes report buying them to help quit smoking, reduce cigarette consumption, to relieve tobacco withdrawal symptoms and to continue having a smoking experience but with reduced health risks. As e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, it may be considered a lower risk and effective substitute for factory made cigarettes. One cannot argue about this as e-cigarettes is less harmful than inhaling inhaling smoke from combustible tobacco of the conventional cigarettes. With them containing fewer toxins than conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not result in the acute rise in white blood cells or carbon monoxide levels seen with conventional cigarettes, the reduction in exposure to countless carcinogens, with the long term reduction in risk of numerous cancers, is a benefit of the e-cigarette.

Effect on the Environment

It is the safer alternative without the harmful effects of burning tobacco, smoke, tar and carbon monoxide, it can give you the capacity to control nicotine levels, zero ash, zero tar, no impact on your teeth colour, no bad taste in your mouth. The flavours are developed to enhance your experience and can be smoked in tobacco free zones. They are eco-friendly and less harmful to individuals in the public than normal cigarettes as the vapour disintegrates into the atmosphere so bystanders are safe from any poisonous smoke. No second-hand smoke will harm others around you because it contains no carcinogens or tar, that is why you can smoke it anywhere.

Due to the fact that conventional cigarettes need to be burned to be used, it becomes an environmental risk as it the cause of many fires because people dispose them without setting them off resulting in fires, which spread quickly and cause massive air pollution. Nearby communities and animals are affected by these fires as they tend to cause permanent harm. With e-cigarettes such consequences are avoided as it uses rechargeable batteries which are reusable and do not cause harm to the environment and people as it is just heating.

Most e-cigarettes are reusable, with replaceable and refillable cartridges, and some are disposable. They have a rechargeable battery which is good for the environment as there will be less damage to the ozone layer. Cigarettes do not only cause air pollution but also land pollution due to the disposal of the cigarettes as they are scattered everywhere we go. E-cigarettes do not need any disposal as it is reusable. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is severe enough to kill a child since children have easy access to the cigarette butts flicked in the streets. Most children often confuse this with food and put in their mouth. With e-cigarettes since they are eco-friendly, children and animals should not worry about such disposal as it only disposes batteries.

E-cigarettes cut out tobacco as it is related to many deaths and illnesses. It has lower risks compared to regular cigarettes making it safer for individuals who are in the process of quitting. The nicotine found in the e-cigarettes may be addictive but the 14 risks of a second degree aren’t as there as it does not contain any dangerous toxins found in conventional cigarettes. It can be enjoyed without guilt of harming the next person.

The Economy

With regards to the economy, the government can increase revenue from sin tax which can be used to fund priority investment and the number of policies that implemented to be beneficial to citizens. In South Africa, the funds taken from the sin tax are used to expand the fiscal capacity of the government whilst advancing the promotion of health. This is done to prevent cancer that is obtained from smoking normal cigarettes, whereas e-cigarettes do not have any chance of its users being diagnosed with cancer.

Employment should not come with breaking the band as sin tax constantly rises making cigarettes expensive. An average person a year may spend roughly around R4000 just for cigarettes. E-cigarettes are much cheaper and saves a lot of money. Muposhi and Dhurup state that the users of e-cigarettes save quite a lot in terms of the expenses they make so that they can smoke. The authors outlined how e-cigarettes can save the money of its users; firstly, they state that the quality of e-cigarettes are offered at an affordable price, thus accommodating those that have a tight budget, meaning those who cannot afford to buy cigarettes.

Conclusion

There have been many concerns about e-cigarettes but to stay assure they are much safer than normal cigarettes. It tackles the countries issue of pollution with its low pollutants levels and minimize health risks. E-cigarettes are a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes and based on the user's words they testify that it is a very effective strategy on quitting conventional cigarettes, although many scientists say they are not as safe as they are claimed to be, they do not have conclusive proof that they are not safe. Yes they are prone to misuse, but that is because there isn’t any restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes, and now being that there are many counterfeit products which are not medically tested those could be the ones that affect the people and cause illnesses, thus the sale of these products should be monitored and the government should look into placing regulations on its use. E-cigarettes should not be classified as dangerous but as a solution to help individuals that wish to quit smoking. There might be a few risks but they are better then the health risks conventional cigarettes. Before we judge e-cigarettes let's get to know what the products and how it will benefit society as a whole. If people took a chance to accept e-cigarettes and the government put on stricter limitations on the use and take a look into counterfeit products there would be fewer deaths in our country. ​

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