Ottawa, Canada – According to the latest results of the Youth Smoking Survey, only three per cent of Canadian students in grades 6-12 said they smoked daily in 2010-2011, down from 4% in 2008-2009.

The school-based survey also found that fewer students have even tried cigarettes once; a decline among those who had ever tried little cigars; and a drop in the percent of students reporting using alcohol, cannabis and other drugs.

“After seeing smoking rates hit historic lows in Canada recently, these new statistics are encouraging,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. “In particular, the drop in little cigar smoking suggests that the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act is having an impact on consumption of these products by youth.”

The Youth Smoking Survey, funded by Health Canada and conducted by the University of Waterloo’s Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, is a survey of Canadian youth in grades 6-12 that captures information related to tobacco, alcohol and drug use. Among the findings for 2010-2011:

• Nearly three-quarters (74%) of youth in grades 6-12 said they have never tried smoking a cigarette, not even a puff, a significant increase from 67% in 2008-2009.
• Among younger students, just 2% of those in grades 6-9 smoked daily or occasionally, the lowest smoking rate recorded by the survey since it began, in 1994.
• Just 6% of youth in grades 6-9 had ever tried smoking little cigars, a significant decrease from 10% in the previous survey. Similarly, in grades 10-12, 26% of youth reported having ever tried smoking little cigars, also a significant decrease from 35% in 2008-2009.
• Among students in grades 7-12, alcohol use in the past 12 months fell to 45% from 53% in 2008-2009. Although one-third (33%) of students in the past year reported binge drinking (i.e., five or more drinks on one occasion), this is a significant decrease from 39% in 2008-2009.
• Cannabis use was reported by 21% of students in grades 7-12, compared to 27% in 2008-2009. There were also significant decreases in the use of MDMA (ecstasy), hallucinogens and saliva, and in the abuse of psychoactive pharmaceuticals.

These and other results of the survey are available on Health Canada’s website.

In recent years, the Government of Canada has taken steps to reduce smoking among Canadian youth. The Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act, in force since 2010, prohibits the sale of little cigars and blunt wraps in packages of fewer than 20 units, and prohibits the sale of little cigars and other tobacco products that contain specified additives, including most flavouring agents.

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Andover, England  – A survey of 11,785 British adults has found that 70% say they are unaware of any of the symptoms of mouth cancer. Simplyhealth’s Annual Dental Survey 2012 also found that only 3% of individuals think kissing can increase your chances of developing mouth cancer. The healthcare provider’s findings highlight the need to educate the population on the main risks and symptoms of a cancer that’s on the increase^[1].

James Glover, spokesperson for Simplyhealth says: “While 85% of people surveyed recognise that smoking tobacco can increase their chances of developing mouth cancer, there is a lack of awareness about other potential risks.

Our findings follow recent news from Cancer Research UK that high risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections which are spread through bodily contact could be the key reason for the increase in mouth cancer, particularly among younger people^[2]. Although this risk cannot be avoided in the same way as not smoking, it’s important for people to know what makes us all susceptible to this type of cancer.”

Michael Thomas, a practicing dentist says: “As well as knowing the risks, individuals should be educated in identifying the symptoms. As with all cancers, the sooner it is identified, the better. Worryingly, only 28% of those surveyed by Simplyhealth would consider consulting or have consulted with their dentist about concerns or queries over mouth cancer.

Dentists are integral to addressing any worries individuals may have about the health of their mouth. I’d encourage everyone to utilise their time in the dentist’s chair and speak up should they have any questions about the risks or symptoms of mouth cancer.”

Michael Thomas has put together the below ‘cut out and keep’ guide to the main risks and most common symptoms of mouth cancer:

The main risk factors:

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Poor diet and nutrition
• Sun exposure (lips)
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) which affects the immune system and can be spread by kissing and bodily contact (most strains of HPV are harmless but a few are high risk)
• Previous cancer diagnosis

Most common symptoms:

• A mouth sore or ulcer that fails to heal or bleeds easily
• All red or red and white patches in the mouth that will not go away
• A lump or thickening in the mouth, tongue or throat
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing food
• New persistent pain

With a Simply Cash Plan or Simply Dental Plan you can claim back money towards the cost of check-ups, treatment and emergencies. Our plans entitle you to claim for as many treatments as you want up to your annual limit. You simply pay a monthly premium and once you’ve attended your appointment you can claim the money back, by completing a claim form and sending off the receipt.

The Simply Dental Plan also includes a one off payment, in the unfortunate event that a person develops mouth cancer. For further information please visit http://www.simplyhealth.co.uk.

1. In the last ten years, cases have risen from around six cases per 100,000, to eight cases. Cancer Research UK – http://www.cancerresearchuk.org 

2. Cancer Research UK – http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressrelease/2012-03-16-hpv-push-oral-cancer-cases-past-6000-a-year?rss=true 

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Many people like the idea of smoking a lot more than they like the reality, and more of them are choosing vaping over smoking every day. Vaping? Well, electronic cigarettes use vapor not smoke, so users don’t smoke them. They vape them. But how does anyone decide which of the many electronic cigarettes on the market to try? By comparing smokeless cigarette reviews to see what more experienced e-cigarette users say, of course.

“Everyone has different criteria for what makes a great e-cigarette,” said Chad Maynard of ElectronicCigarette.net. “Some people are really into a lot of vapor to replicate a cloud of smoke, while others love that electronic cigarettes come in a range of flavors.”

1. Vapor. Most e-cigarette users value vapor, so most e-cigarette reviews discuss it in detail. Some brands start out with a great cloud of vapor but it starts to thin out when the battery is less than fully charged.

2. Battery life. Battery life might not be the most obvious feature for a vapor cigarette review to focus on, but because vapor can really depend on the strength of the battery, it is an important detail for anyone trying to choose a good brand to try for a first vape.

3. Flavor. For some, the option of a pineapple or mocha electronic cigarette is just one more reason to skip the old tobacco variety and embrace e-cigs. Others want one thing and one thing only tried and true tobacco taste. But no one wants 100 weak, not quite right flavors, so e-cigarette reviews should discuss the quality as well as the quantity of flavors to really be useful.

4. Presentation. No one ever picked up their first traditional tobacco cigarette without thinking about image. Electronic cigarette users want packaging that looks good too.

5. Cost. Good electronic cigarette reviews get to the nuts and bolts of costs, including shipping costs.

“New brands are appearing all the time and existing brands are changing and evolving too,” said Maynard. “For example, the new White Cloud battery is their smallest ever.”

“Vaping does involve some initial expense, although it is usually cheaper in the long run than smoking. Consumers need to be informed, especially when purchasing online, and e-cigarette reviews can give the details people need to make informed choices,” Maynard said.

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Keep America Beautiful (KAB) reports an average 54 percent reduction of cigarette litter in the communities implementing KAB’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) during 2011. In 2011, the program’s ninth year, there were 252 grant-supported implementations across the country including downtowns, roadways, beaches, parks, marinas, colleges/universities, tourist spots, and at special events.

Over the past six years, the CLPP has consistently cut cigarette butt litter by half based on local measurements taken in the first four to six months after implementation.  Survey results also showed that as communities continue to monitor the program those reductions are sustained or even increased over time. For example, eight communities that started programs between 2007 and 2009 showed a total average reduction of 74 percent when measured again in 2011.

“Changing ingrained behaviors, such as littering, requires a long-term and sustained commitment,” says Matthew M. McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “We’re clearly seeing evidence that the longer a community focuses on anti-litter education programs, the more successful their efforts will be.”

Tobacco products, consisting mainly of cigarette butts, are the most-littered item in America, representing nearly 38 percent of all items, according to “Litter in America,” KAB’s landmark 2009 study of litter and littering behavior. In response to this issue, KAB developed the CLPP with funding from Philip Morris USA, an Altria company.  In 2010, the program received additional support from RAI Services Company.  Since its inception, the program has been implemented in over 1,000 U.S. communities.

“Our cigarette litter prevention program at Lake Ouachita was successful in reducing not only cigarette butts and ashes, but all types of litter,” said Hot Springs/Garland County (Ark.) Beautification Commission Executive Director Adam Roberts. “It seems that drawing attention to the cigarette litter issue caused our visitors to take note of all their littering habits and act accordingly.”

A partnership with Boat U.S. Foundation showed that, on average, marinas that participated in the CLPP in 2011 saw a 50 percent decrease in cigarette litter at their marina. Nearly half of the participating marinas saw substantial reductions of 70 percent or greater.

“After all of the receptacles were installed, and the pocket ash trays and car receptacles were handed out, the number of butts and cigarette trash around Lake Ericson was reduced by 75 percent,” said Linda Studnicka, Keep Loup Basin (Neb.) Beautiful’s executive director.

Research has shown that even self-reported “non-litterers” often don’t consider tossing cigarette butts on the ground to be “littering.” Keep America Beautiful has found that cigarette butt litter occurs most often at transition points—areas where a person must stop smoking before proceeding into another area. These include bus stops, entrances to stores and public buildings, and the sidewalk areas outside of bars and restaurants, among others.

To address cigarette butt litter, KAB’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program recommends communities integrate four proven approaches:

• encourage enforcement of litter laws, including cigarette litter;
• raise awareness about the issue using public service messages;
• place ash receptacles at transition points such as entrances to public buildings; and
• distribute pocket or portable ashtrays to adult smokers.

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Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System have found a new indicator that may predict which patients with a common type of throat cancer are most likely have the cancer spread to other parts of their bodies.

Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who had “matted” lymph nodes – nodes that are connected together – had a 69 percent survival rate over three years, compared to 94 percent for patients without matted nodes, according to a study published online ahead of print publication in Head & Neck.

The oropharynx is an area that includes the back of the tongue, soft palate, throat and tonsils. ”The spread of cancer throughout the body accounts for about 45 percent of the deaths from oropharyngeal carcinoma,” says the study’s senior author, Douglas B. Chepeha, M.D., M.S.P.H., an associate professor of otolaryngology head and neck surgery at the U-M Medical School.

“Our findings may help doctors identify patients who are at higher risk for having their cancer metastasize and who would benefit from additional systemic therapy. Conversely, some patients without matted nodes may benefit from a reduction of the current standard treatment, which would cut down on uncomfortable side effects.”

Notably, the findings indicate an increased risk independent of other established prognostic factors, such as the patient’s history of smoking or whether they have the Human papillomavirus (HPV), the study found. Smoking (tobacco and marijuana), heavy alcohol use and HPV infection have each been linked to the development of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Matted nodes appear to be an especially strong indicator of increased risk among patients who are HPV-positive, even though HPV-positive patients had better overall outcomes than their HPV-negative peers. The patients with the best outcomes were HPV-positive non-smokers.

“It’s not clear why we’re finding these survival differences for patients who have matted nodes,” says study lead author Matthew E. Spector, M.D., a head and neck surgery resident at U-M who won a national award from the American Head and Neck Society for this work. “It is possible that there are biological and molecular differences in these types of tumors, which can be explored in future research.”

The results affirm the value of having a team of doctors and researchers from different specialties, radiology, oncology, biostatistics and surgery, working together to find advances that can directly benefit patients, Chepeha says. “This was a collaborative effort and all of the authors made important contributions,” he adds.

The study tracked 78 cancer patients who were part of a clinical trial evaluating two cancer drugs in combination with intensity-modulated radiation therapy. All the patients had stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and had not had any previous treatment. Sixteen of the 78 patients had matted nodes.

“It’s significant that we’ve identified this new marker that can help us predict which patients have worse survival odds,” Chepeha says. “Now we need to go one step further and figure out what mechanisms are at work and how we can use this knowledge to improve survival rates.”

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2012 looks set to be the best year yet as the European Commission offers new thinking and support to quit smoking with their innovative campaign, “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable.”

A New Year is a new start – and the European Commission is dedicated to helping smokers across the European Union to become unstoppable; finally stopping smoking and enjoying a better life. According to a recent survey, nearly 80 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions will fail to stick to them, as many lose motivation and focus instead on the downside of not achieving their goals.

Uniquely, “Ex-smokers are Unstoppable” offers an inspiring and motivating approach to quitting smoking, inviting smokers to think again about the benefits of giving up cigarettes, which include better health, better social interaction, more money, and of course, a better quality of life.

In less than half a year, over 150,000 smokers in the European Union have registered with the European Commission’s innovative digital tool iCoach, launched in June 2011. This step-by-step personalized support tool has already helped thousands of smokers across the EU to quit and aims to support thousands more to achieve their New Year’s resolutions and become unstoppable ex-smokers in 2012.

iCoach offers:

- Personalized tips and advice to support smokers to kick the habit

- Regular emails to provide support at every step of the journey to a smoke-free life

- A forum to allow smokers to support each other and share their own inspiring stories

- Graphs showing the user’s progress towards their end goal: Becoming an unstoppable ex-smoker

“I am delighted that “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” has helped 150,000 smokers so far,” said Commissioner Dalli. “We look forward to supporting many more thousands of smokers to achieve their goal of a smoke-free life in 2012.

As we enter this new year, there is an opportunity to make 2012 the best year it can be as the “Ex-smokers are Unstoppable” campaign will be even bigger and better. I gave up smoking myself some years ago, and I really understand just how great it feels to be an ex-smoker.”

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A cancerous tumor was discovered in Luiz Inacio da Silva’s larynx on Saturday. Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, is familiar with the health crisis that Silva, the former Brazilian leader, currently faces. Chavez has had problems with cancer in the past; he has been recovering from chemotherapy and a previous surgery in June, where a malignant tumor was removed from his pelvic region.

Chavez sent a message of solidarity to the former Brazilian president in response to his diagnosis on Sunday and expressed hope for a speedy recovery from the chemotherapy Silva would soon be undergoing. Silva is considered to be in good condition and his chemotherapy and treatment will begin on an outpatient basis.

His diagnosis undermined speculation that he would be running for president again in 2014. During his previous presidential reign, Silva was responsible for the unemployment rate dropping to a record low, cutting the country’s inflation rate by more than half, and bringing up 21 million Brazilians from poverty. He was the most popular Brazilian president ever and served two presidential terms.

Though he stepped down as president, Silva still participates in politics and is the honorary head of the Worker’s Party. His successor, Dilma Rousseff, continues to consult him over political matters. She, too, was treated for cancer in 2009. Doctors informed Finance Minister Guido Mantega that Silva’s cancer was caught in its early stages.

It is possible for throat cancer to be cured in 90 percent of the people diagnosed with it, as long as it is caught early. Smoking and excessively drinking increase the risk of throat cancer. Silva has admitted to smoking in the past. If the cancer pervades into the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues, only 60 percent of patients can be cured.

Rousseff is confident that Silva will make a complete recovery. She survived having lymphoma herself. Silva’s tumor is not large, according to Artur Katz, the oncologist treating Silva. It measures between two and three centimeters. Chavez commented that he will be praying for Silva’s recovery and will closely follow his medical situation, just as Silva did when Chavez was battling cancer.

Chavez claims to be free of cancer now, but a Venezuelan doctor who treated him in the past insists he only has a couple of years to live. The doctor has since fled the country out of fear for his life, and Chavez denies his claims and denounces him as a liar. Silva’s physician, Dr. Roberto Kalil, says that the Brazilian leader is meeting this challenge with a positive attitude.

“He’s very calm. Obviously, at first, there was anxiety, a shock. He arrived in excellent spirits, in his usual way, extremely confident,” said Kalil. It will take around 40 days to observe how Silva’s tumor will respond to chemotherapy.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/

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Wonder why your child’s classmate seems to be more absent than unusual and their seat is frequently empty in the classroom? Well, a new study finds children who live with smokers miss more school due to illness than those who live in households with non-smokers, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers found data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, which tracked how many days of school children ages 6 to 11 miss and the reason for their absence. (The study was not without limitations. Children over 12 were excluded from the study because of the possibility that exposure could be due to their own smoking).

The participants of that study were asked to evaluate each child’s general health and to answer the following questions: how many people smoked inside the home, how many school days the child missed due to illness or injury during the previous year, whether the child had three or more ear infections during the previous year, whether the child had a chest cold or gastrointestinal illness during the preceding two weeks and whether the child had been diagnosed with asthma, and if so, whether the child had any recent asthma attacks.

Of the 3,087 children whose information was analyzed for this study, more than 14 percent lived in a home with at least one person who smoked in the house, 8 percent lived with one household smoker and 6 percent with two or more, which represents 2.6 million children nationwide.

Children living with one in-home smoker had an average of 1.06 more days absent, and those living with two or more had 1.54 more days absent than did children living in homes where no one smoked indoors. The research also suggests that families could reduce absenteeism by 24 to 34 percent if smoking was eliminated from their households.

According to the study, about one third of children in the United States live with a smoker. Among children aged 3 to 11, at least 56 percent have detectable levels of a chemical called serum cotinine, which is an indication of tobacco smoke exposure. Cotinine is a breakdown of nicotine in the body and it can be measured by analyzing levels in the blood, urine or saliva.

Researchers like Dr. Douglas Levy, the study’s principal investigator and Assistant in Health Care Policy at the Mongan Institute for Health Policy, agrees this establishes a link between household smoking and two specific respiratory illnesses. But it seems missed school days and health issues are not the only effects of secondhand smoke for young children.

Researchers also calculated the potential costs associated with the need to care for children absent from school due to smoke-exposure related illness. Costs to the family include lost income for parents without paid time off, the costs to employers of the lost work, and the inability of caregivers not employed outside the home to take care of usual household tasks.

The total impact nationwide is $227 million in lost wages and household work for the families of the 2.6 million children living with smokers and for their employers. Overall secondhand smoke affects children’s education, health, and income.

Levy’s advice to parents? “If you are a smoker do not smoke around your kids whether it be at home or in the car. Even better advice is to try to quit smoking.”

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An actor smoking a cigarette in a movie may soon be considered as racey as explicit sex scenes. A number of health organizations argue that smoking on camera should make a film “R” rated. Drug use, obscene language and nudity are the common characteristics moviegoers expect of an “R” rated film. In the future, film watchers may need to add “lighting up” to that list.

Research conducted by Department of Primary Care and Public Health at The Imperial College in London, found that approximately one in five teenagers worldwide, ages 13 to 15, is a regular smoker, with nearly 100,000 children taking up the habit every day. The study concluded that “exposure to smoking in movies is a potent stimulus for youth smoking.”

<pAn article published by the Public Library of Science stated similar findings. It pointed to the connection between tobacco imagery in films and the likelihood of youth to experiment with smoking. “Essentially eliminating smoking and other tobacco imagery from youth-rated films would substantially reduce the total exposure of onscreen smoking images delivered to youth,” explained the article.

The World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others, suggest that all future films that include scenes with smoking be given the adult content rating.

The movie industry is aware of health organizations’ concerns with smoking on screen. According to the CDC, Hollywood is less likely to show actors lighting up on in movie scenes than they were five years ago. However, health groups are still determined to view the smoking scenes that are still being included in films with a more critical eye.

Not all researches are on board with the notion of rating smoking in films more harshly. In an article, also published by the Public Library of Science, a study at the University of Sydney argued against the idea of giving smoking an adult rating in films. The article pointed out that youth are likely being exposed to smoking, to a greater degree, outside the context of the movie theatre. The researchers also expressed an overall concern with the notion of regulating cultural expression.

While no new standard has been passed, anti-smoking advocates continue to push for a more serious rating of movies that choose to include the addictive habit.

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Spain has recently followed the example of several other European countries, enacting a new smoking law that regulated the public use of tobacco. On January 2 this year, smoking in public areas including open spaces close to hospitals, schools and parks became limited. Similar laws were already put in place in Ireland in 2004 and in Scotland in 2006.

However, the law has been long under way in Spain due to the fact that it is one of the countries in Europe with the highest population of smokers. For that reason, the legislation so far has been more permissive than elsewhere – but that has now changed.

The smoking act has always been highly controversial in Spain. When the government in 2006 introduced new rules that demanded hotels and pubs to divide their business areas into smoking and non-smoking sections, it was reported that business took a hit. Those who were unable to allow its guests to smoke inside the establishment lost around 23% profit and a large amount of regulars.

At the same time, in the interest of public health, the Spanish government are continuously raising the tax on tobacco. The price has equally increased with up to 300% in the last decade.

These are around 10 million smokers in Spain which makes the laws on tobacco a sore subject between them and the local government. Protests have been held against the new act and several arguments have been put forward on behalf of the smoking community. The consequence of smoking outside the designated areas is a fine which is taxed at €30-600 ($42-834).

When you look at some of the other arguments against the new law, you will find a strong voice from the residents around affected pubs and social areas. In accordance with the new smoking act, pubs and restaurants are obliged to set up ashtrays and heaters outside their building for patrons to comfortably be able to smoke while they are being served.

As a consequence, the neighbors living in the surrounding area gets highly affected by noise pollution. Every night of business means a crowd of guests, being loud in the open while they enjoy a good time with their friends. However, this is becoming an increased nuisance to residents. Patricia Sánchez is one of the people affected by this situation “I cannot imagine how this will be in the summer, because now it is cold and not too many people stay outside. But in summer I won´t be able to sleep with all those people in the street.”

Another side effect of the outdoor smoking is the rubbish left behind – glass and cigarette butts are scattered in the vicinity of the pubs.

There are differences between the effect on the hotel business and that of pubs and restaurants. The law allows hotels and tourist businesses to have up to 30% of their rooms able to accommodate smokers. On the other hand, pubs and restaurants are working with much stricter regulations. If found guilty of violating the laws on a smoke-free indoor environment, the owners of the businesses are subjected to a fine depending on the seriousness of the infraction.

Similar initiatives are on the way on the other side of the Atlantic in New York where the local authorities are preparing to ban smoking in places such as the pedestrian mall in Times Square and on the boardwalk and beach of Coney Island. Violations will trigger a $50 fine.

The city of New York already bans smoking in bars and restaurants, a move that was followed by scores of other cities in the US. Additionally, the smokers in New York pay the highest tax on tobacco in the entire nation, namely $5.85 pr. pack.

With the introduction of the new rules, smokers are prohibited from smoking in the city’s 1.700 parks and on the 14 miles of beach area. Furthermore, the ‘pedestrian plazas’ located in the middle of roadways will also be included in the no-smoking ban as they often contain benches, tables or other facilities for pedestrian use.

Audrey Silk, the founder of a local public interest group called NYC C.L.A.S.H. (Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment), says she will not be surprised if smokers in the city ignore the new prohibition. “This is outrageous and uncalled for,” she claims.

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Picture Audrey Hepburn, the beautiful, classy movie star, sitting to eat (perhaps breakfast?), walking through a crowded party or sitting in the backseat of a car.  What is the consistent image?  Take a look at the 1961 film classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, where Hepburn plays Holly Golightly, a role she called “the jazziest of my career.”  What is the one thing that is undeniably classy and memorable about her role in this and other films?  It is her extra long cigarette holder.  How was the iconic Hepburn, or Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca and other classic “Bogie” films, as well as many, many other movie stars of the golden era of Hollywood, allowed to be shown smoking in public virtually anywhere they desired?  They, and the public at large, were unaware of the dangers of smoking.  The deadly dangers.

Now, you can sit down to dinner or cozy up at your favorite bar and channel your inner Audrey Hepburn.  Heads might turn, but you will be completely within legal limits.  Cigarettes indoors, in public?  How can that be?  It might not be at the end of an extra long cigarette holder, like the one Hepburn favored, but it will be completely healthy and harmless.  Electronic cigarettes are the newest trend, and a very good one at that.  What better way to quit smoking than to continue going through the motions without any actual tobacco intake?  Well, as long as it’s an e-cigarette, you can.

According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, approximately 25.6 million men and 22.6 million women in the United States are smokers.  Would many of these Americans quit smoking if it wasn’t a constant, difficult struggle to do so?  Sources say yes.

E-cigarettes are the new electronic smoking alternative that look and feel like real cigarettes, and allow smokers to get the sensation of smoking without any tobacco.  E-cigarettes have no carcinogens.  Instead of burning tobacco or a comparable smoking product, the e-cigarette atomizes a liquid into a tar-free and odorless vapor.  It is up to the smoker whether the cigarette’s liquid contains nicotine or not.

The device is a battery-operated, long-shaped tube.  Most of these cigarettes mimic the appearance of a cigarette or cigar, giving the e-cigarette the most authentic look possible.  Others look like a ballpoint pen (biros).  While there are disposable e-cigarettes on the market, the majority are reusable and come with replaceable and refillable cartridges.

An electronic cigarette is broken down into several components.  The mouthpiece, often referred to as the cartridge, is fixed to the end of a tube.  There is a small cup inside the mouthpiece that contains an absorbent material that is drenched in a liquid.  This liquid contains varying levels of nicotine, if any at all.  The cartridge can be refilled or replaced once it’s empty.

The cartridge contains a liquid referred to as e-liquid.  The e-liquid can contain hundreds of flavors, including menthol.  For smokers who want nicotine, they can get an e-liquid containing nicotine that has been dissolved in propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin — both common food additives.  According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are recognized as one of its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substances.  There are no known serious side effects with these ingredients and they have been used since the 1950s inside nebulizers and asthma inhalers.

The battery in most e-cigarettes is a lithium-ion battery and is rechargeable.  The battery powers the heating element, called an atomizer, and allows the liquid to heat up and vaporize.  Once vaporized, the liquid can be breathed in — inhaled.

In addition to the cartridge, there can also be a cartomizer.  A cartomizer is a one piece unit combining the cartridge with the atomizer.  It is screwed into the battery and used only once.  It is meant to be disposed of afterward, although, some people do refill them.  Cartomizers are the optimum choice for beginners because the cartomizers are sold prefilled with the flavor of choice.

The newest versions of e-cigarettes have a sensor that automatically starts the heating method when the device is sucked on.  Older versions use a button that needs to be pressed in during inhalation.  Most versions, especially the newer ones, have an LED, light emitting diode, that lights up when the device is made active to simulate the burning tip of a cigarette.

More research needs to be conducted, however, to test the safety of electronic cigarettes.  The FDA has refused some entry of shipments of these products coming into the United States since the components of e-cigarettes have not yet been tested for safety.  E-cigarette buyers will have to provide customs with a letter explaining the electronic cigarettes are for personal use.  “We basically don’t know anything about them [e-cigarettes],” Dr. Richard D. Hurt, director of the Nicotine Dependence Center at the Mayo Clinic said.  “They’ve never been tested for safety or efficacy to help people stop smoking.”

All the same, e-cigarettes are the latest trend and can even be seen on the big screen.  Johnny Depp “smokes” electronic cigarettes in the film “The Tourist.”  Depp plays Frank, an American tourist in Italy, who meets Elise (Angelina Jolie).  Depp’s character explains the benefits of e-cigarettes throughout the movie to Angelina Jolie’s character.  On a much smaller screen, e-cigarettes have been seen on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Whatever your motivation for trying out electronic cigarettes, it should be acknowledged that the choice to move toward a tobacco-free lifestyle is a difficult, but important decision.  E-cigarettes can, and have, helped smokers quit completely.  When reformed smokers feel a nicotine craving, they can “light up” an e-cigarette, feel the simulated sensation, and curb the craving.

Since e-cigarettes produce no second hand smoke, your neighbors and friends will be happy that you chose the alternative method of smoking.  Smokers will no longer have to struggle with the health and social stigmas associated with smoking.  One day, they will not have to struggle with smoking at all.

For now, sit down at your favorite bar, take out your electronic cigarette and try to remember how Hepburn did it.  You might get some unwelcome, uneducated glares, but let that be your cue to start educating others.

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