What is Really in the Electric Cigarette?

Post Under 7 Things You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Cigarette

The electric cigarette itself is an electronic device consisting of a battery with light up indicator, an atomizer. Disposable cartridges are attached that carry the necessary ingredients to satisfy the smoker.

Just what is in the cartridge? It contains nicotine, water, flavor (or essence), and propylene glycol. That is really everything. Only four ingredients, as opposed to over 4,000 found in many ignitable tobacco products.

One cartridge can be the nicotine equivalent of 1, 1.5, or even 2 packs of cigarettes – depending on the brand you get. You can leave a cartridge attached to the device, and just use it at intervals that you normally would if you were smoking a regular pack. So if you are a pack a day smoker, your cartridge should last you at least an entire day.

These cartridges typically come in different doses of nicotine including high, medium, and low. There is also an alternative cartridge containing no nicotine, but still gives you the flavor and the smoke. Funny enough, a non smoker could enjoy using electronic cigarettes and not get addicted to nicotine.

As most people know, nicotine is found in tobacco. Despite the attempts by some to concern us with the fact that nicotine is used as a pesticide, what some do not realize is that nicotine has not been found to be a cancer causing agent. In fact, nicotine is found naturally in many of the vegetables we consume, including but not limited to tomato, potato, cauliflower, eggplant, green pepper, and even some teas. It is found in abundance in the nightshade family of plants. Currently nicotine is even being explored for its possible therapeutic properties.

Propylene glycol (also referred to as PG) is the element which gives the ecigarette its smoke like effect. It is a legal substance and is found in many medicines, cosmetics, toothpaste, food, and even mouthwash.

PG is used in smoke machines in nightclubs, where it is inhaled regularly by employees and patrons visiting the establishments. You’d be amazed at how much it is used and where you will find it.

Recently, I ran out of maple syrup, but noticed I had some artificial maple flavoring in cupboard. I decided to whip up my own syrup (the pancakes were getting cold) but I was curious about what was in this artificial flavoring. I looked at the label, and there I saw it – propylene glycol.

While there have been no long term studies on the effects of the direct inhalation of propylene glycol in a vapor state, it is currently deemed as a safe substance by the US Food and Drug Administration's list of ingredients which are Generally Recognized As Safe or GRAS. It is also recognized as safe for use by the WHO (World Health Organization).

Unfortunately, propylene glycol is often confused with ethylene glycol. While both are used in things like antifreeze, ethylene glycol is the one that can be poisonous.

Some people may be sensitive to or have an allergic reaction to propylene glycol. If you currently notice specific lotions and products which irritate your skin or cause break outs, check the labels on those products first for the presence of PG. If you are one of those unfortunate people, but would like to try e-smoking, you will definitely want to proceed with great caution and do check with your doctor.

On the flip side of things, I have seen someone who was a smoker and asthma sufferer (yes, it happens) who easily made the switch to the electronic cigarette. Amazingly, he actually went from using his asthma inhaler 4 times a day to now only once a week since making the switch. I don’t know how this will affect him in the long term, but he is quite excited over this particular result.

So, there you have it. Some simple electronics, and just four ingredients in the cartridge.