What is electronic cigarette?
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As the name suggests, an electronic cigarette is a "cigarette that uses electricity," but the term "electronic cigarette" is unique to Japan. The common name for e-cigarettes around the world is "vape. In Japan, both vape and heated tobacco are often referred to as electronic cigarettes, but they are quite different in terms of characteristics and the purposes for which they are smoked.
Some well-known heated tobacco products include IQOS, glo, and Ploom TECH. All of these products are classified as "tobacco products" under Japanese law because they inhale vapor containing nicotine. Furthermore, since they are subject to tobacco tax, they can be called "cigarettes" in both name and reality. In contrast, a vape is a vapor that contains neither nicotine nor tar, is not subject to tobacco tax, and has no age restrictions. (Liquid sold in Japan does not contain nicotine, and there is no legal problem with use by those under 20 years of age. However, most e-cigarette retailers have self-imposed an age limit of 20 or older for vape use).
1. use of body-friendly ingredients
Vape liquid is made of ingredients that are considered safe for the human body. The main ingredients of the liquid are VG (vegetable glycerin), PG (propylene glycol), flavorings, and purified water. VG (vegetable glycerin) is used as a food additive in cereals, candy, gum, and other sweets. PG (propylene glycol) is also used as a food additive in dumplings, rice balls, udon noodles and soba noodles. Flavoring agents and purified water are used to flavor liquids. These substances are commonly used in foods in general and are not likely to have adverse effects on the human body if not taken in excess.
On the other hand, cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals, including tar, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens and toxins such as asbestos and dioxin. Data also show that heated tobacco cigarettes, in which tobacco leaves are electrically heated and vapor is inhaled, contain a small amount of toxic substances in the vapor. In contrast, vapes basically contain no nicotine or tar at all. As for flavors, vape liquid manufacturers mix their own flavors to make their liquids. It is believed that a certain level of safety is maintained for each flavor.
However, the safety of these substances is still under debate since the use of vape liquids is still in its infancy. Since these substances are often used in various foods, cosmetics, and medicines, it is important to note that there is a risk of overdose. There is also a theory that in some cases it may have adverse effects on the human body. Also, it is recommended that vapes not be used in areas where cats or other pets are present, as propylene glycol (PG) is a recognized health hazard for cats.
2. an e-cigarette is "not a cigarette"
The advantage of vape or heated cigarette is that it does not cause fire because it does not use fire. VAPEs also have advantages over cigarettes in that they do not generate cigarette butts and do not require ashtrays or lighters. However, vapes and heated cigarettes are different. Under Japanese law, heated cigarettes are treated as "tobacco products," but vapes are not.
Heated cigarettes, such as Ecigator and other vape manufacturers, are vapor containing nicotine that is inhaled through a "tobacco capsule," which is a finely chopped tobacco leaf. This mechanism is similar to that of a vape, but instead of tobacco leaves, a liquid (containing flavoring) is used in a vape. Therefore, vapes do not contain nicotine or tar, and the main health hazards associated with cigarettes are said to be less of a concern for the user and those around him or her.
However, there is also a theory that if a vape is used for a long period of time, other harmful substances may cause adverse health effects. Since vapes have only been around for a short period of time, we are not yet at the stage where we can say with certainty that sufficient research has been conducted to prove their safety. Nevertheless, according to a research paper published in the international scientific journal Nature, no adverse health effects were found after a period of vape use. The study was conducted by a research team from the University of Catania in Italy and the University of California-Los Angeles in the United States.
The experimental method involved dividing the subjects into two groups, one using electronic cigarettes (vape) and the other not, and observing their cardiopulmonary and circulatory function values for three and a half years. The results showed that there was no effect on the values of the group that used e-cigarettes (vape). As of March 2019, 3.5 years of follow-up is the longest existing study on the safety of electronic cigarettes (vape). Further investigation and research based on longer follow-up studies will be needed in the future. However, at this time, there are no studies that have demonstrated the harmfulness of electronic cigarettes (vape). At the very least, we can assume that electronic cigarettes (vape) are safer than paper cigarettes.
If it is proven that vape cigarettes can greatly reduce the negative effects of smoking on smokers and their surroundings, the problems that arise between smokers and nonsmokers may improve. At present, some people consider electronic cigarettes (VAPEs) to be less of a nuisance than paper cigarettes and heated cigarettes in that they do not emit a bad odor and do not generate cigarette butt waste.
3. a fashion item
The main purpose of using a vape is to quit smoking or to reduce smoking. However, there are also people who have never smoked before who use vapes for the relaxing effect they have on the body. Some vape smokers use vapes as a fashion accessory. In this way, the wholesale vape factory makes it is an item that can be enjoyed by both smokers and nonsmokers, and the number of vape users is expected to increase further in the future. 4.
4. highly regarded as a smoking cessation item
Although vape is not a smoking device to begin with, there are many cases of smokers switching to vape for the purpose of reducing or quitting smoking. One of the reasons why vape is attracting attention as a useful smoking cessation item is because of the addictive nature of cigarettes. There are two reasons why it is difficult to stop smoking. One is addiction caused by nicotine intake, and the other is mental dependence such as "restlessness" or "being out of mind.
The principle of nicotine dependence can be explained as follows. First, the brain has "alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors" that generate a pleasant sensation when nicotine binds to them. As soon as nicotine enters the bloodstream from the lungs, it reaches the brain and causes the release of dopamine, a substance that produces a pleasant sensation. Once the brain becomes accustomed to it, withdrawal symptoms (withdrawal symptoms) occur, such as irritability and inability to concentrate due to lack of nicotine. This is why it is said that it is difficult to quit smoking, because one has to smoke again to get rid of these symptoms. Therefore, for heavy smokers to quit smoking successfully, it is more effective to reduce smoking in stages than to suddenly reduce nicotine intake to zero.
This is where the benefits of using a vape in combination with cigarettes and heated cigarettes come into play. The mental dependence on vape cigarettes, such as "I miss my mouth" or "I'm bored," can be distracted by the vape. In many cases, people have succeeded in quitting smoking completely by reducing the amount of cigarettes they smoke and decreasing their nicotine intake. Therefore, vape can be a recommended luxury item for those who want to quit smoking or reduce smoking.