I took a proactive approach to this, and here's what I wrote on my Facebook, just to do my part and get the word out there amongst my family and friends. I don't know how many of you use Facebook, or have done this already, but I think the more we educate the people we know, the more they will spread it to those that they know:
RANT...
So, after 22 years without one single attempt to stop smoking, I quit smoking cigarettes on July 2nd, and completely switched to an electronic device. I've done a lot of research, and what it comes down to is this: cigarettes and some other smokeable tobacco products are really bad for you. They contain nearly 4000+ chemicals, a lot of them added in processing. When you smoke a cigarette, you're smoking burnt organic, and inorganic matter, which produces the tar/soot/carbon monoxide/nasty stuff that will eventually kill you. With the electronic ones, there is no burnt matter. It's just a mix of food grade, safe for human consumption, vegetable glycerin and/or propylene glycol (the delivery medium for asthma inhalers) mixed with a small amount of nicotine and flavoring. What you breath in is, essentially, steam and nicotine. Nicotine is not bad for you. It's just a mild stimulant, and is no worse for you than the caffeine in your coffee or tea. People should be aware of this. It's NOT the nicotine that causes cancer, and other diseases. It's the SMOKE in the cigarette, along with all the other additional chemicals that have been added.
So, people, when you see someone with an electronic cigarette, or a similar device, you can stop being worried about what LOOKS like people smoking, when they're in fact not actually smoking. They're breathing in nicotine vapor, which contains next to ZERO percent particulate matter. When they breath out, It's not "second hand smoke". Also, it usually smells good, like the hazelnut flavor that I'm enjoying as I write this. That said, I'm still courteous of others, and usually refrain from invading their personally space with my vapor.
I really liked smoking, but I'm extremely happy that I've found something that's FAR FAR less harmful to myself, and others around me, which enabled me to quit. I hope more people embrace these devices as a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking, and not demonize them in the same way that they do cigarettes. They have the potential to help thousands of people improve their health.
Additional comments I made:
Also, my lungs feel SO MUCH better after only a month. Running 2.5 miles everyday is much easier. AND, my taste has improved drastically. I had Chik-Fil-A nuggets with Polynesian Sauce the other week. I was blown away by how good they were. If those aren't tangible benefits, I don't know what would be... Oh, I don't stink like an ashtray too. That's another one.
40 minutes ago · Edited · Like · 4
AND, vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol are what they use in those smoke machines at clubs/concerts/parties, etc.
Fog machine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It has been a while since any type of anti e cig b.s. has been thrown my way. If a person is curious and wants to switch, but highly skeptical....then I will do my best to inform.
