The purpose of this post is to review the "cigarette" as a nicotine delivery device. For this review, I used a regular tobacco flavor, standard size, filtered cigarette. Although there are many brands of this device, the one I chose is common and similar enough to others, I believe that my conclusions should be applicable to most cigarettes. I will refer to smoke as vapor, so that the nomenclature will be consistent with that used on the forum, and familiar to forum users.
1. Ease of use: This device is quite easy to use, requiring no preparatory set up or filling. I was able to withdraw the cigarette from the pack, light it, and begin vaping immediately. It does not require a battery or e-juice. It does require a flame source to ignite, but these are readily available where the cigarettes are sold.
It does steadily produce an ash, and a "...." when the cigarette has been consumed. Provision must be made for disposal of the ash and ..... This can be problematic based on your locale, as these have a strong residual odor. Additionally, some care should be taken to ensure that the .... is fully extinguished when disposing of it, as the ember can create a fire hazard if disposed into a inflammatory material.
Once the device has been ignited, one is pretty much obliged to finish it. Its design does not facilitate one or two vapes and then being put away. When I attempted this, the act of extinguishing the cigarette somewhat mangled it. It would have been relightable, but could not be stored back in the pack and rather than pocket it with the loose tobacco spilling out, I disposed of it.
Although easy to use, I found that the disposition of the byproduct and the inability to use for fewer vapes offset the ease of use somewhat. Score: C
2. Flavor: Strong, very distinctive burning tobacco flavor. I personally found it harsh and distasteful. However, taste is very subjective, and there may be those who like this flavor. There is really only one flavor option available with this device, although there is a menthol variant. The menthol is a variation in that the menthol overlays the tobacco flavor, providing a cooler flavored vape. I suppose it could be described as a separate flavor.
I did not care for the flavor. That, coupled with the lack of any flavor options other than menthol, leads me to give a low score. Score: D
3. Vapor Production: Poor. Disappointing. I really can't describe it any other way. My strongest draws produced only vapor that I would describe as "light" and "wispy." On a par with a cigalike with a run-down battery. Score: F
4. Stealth Factor: Non-existent. Although the device is quite small and can be hidden in a cupped hand, once activated it continuously produces a light vapor that is easily detectable. Furthermore, the distinctive acrid smell of this product is easily detectable by others, many of whom find it objectionable. The vapor produced by this device also has a clinging and lasting characteristic, so others may still be able to smell this product on your breath, clothes, or in your vehicle hours after use. Score: F
5. Availabilty: High. This product is available in grocery stores, corner markets, and other retail establishments. One should be able to find these available within a few minutes drive, except in rural locales. Score: A
6. Cost: The pack I purchased cost a little over $5.00 US. For me, this was high. Individual expenditures on vape juice and hardware can vary greatly, but I believe that this figure would be in the high range for a daily expenditure for most vapers. For this reason, I gave it a low score. Score: D
7. Health and Safety: The vapor from this particular device has been documented to contain multiple carcinogenic agents. Use of this device is the #1 cause of preventable death in the US and accounts for close to half a million deaths annually. Score: F
8. Nicotine Delivery: Very effective. This device delivers nicotine swiftly and efficiently. There is some control over level of input by the user as these have regular, light, and ultra-light variants, which purport to have decreasing levels of nicotine. Score: A
Overall Score: D
Summary: This device is readily available and delivers nicotine very efficiently. I scored it high in those categories. However, in other categories, I scored it from average to below average. I would not recommend this product as a nicotine delivery system. There are many and much better systems available on the market, and would recommend the research and use of almost any one of these alternatives.
1. Ease of use: This device is quite easy to use, requiring no preparatory set up or filling. I was able to withdraw the cigarette from the pack, light it, and begin vaping immediately. It does not require a battery or e-juice. It does require a flame source to ignite, but these are readily available where the cigarettes are sold.
It does steadily produce an ash, and a "...." when the cigarette has been consumed. Provision must be made for disposal of the ash and ..... This can be problematic based on your locale, as these have a strong residual odor. Additionally, some care should be taken to ensure that the .... is fully extinguished when disposing of it, as the ember can create a fire hazard if disposed into a inflammatory material.
Once the device has been ignited, one is pretty much obliged to finish it. Its design does not facilitate one or two vapes and then being put away. When I attempted this, the act of extinguishing the cigarette somewhat mangled it. It would have been relightable, but could not be stored back in the pack and rather than pocket it with the loose tobacco spilling out, I disposed of it.
Although easy to use, I found that the disposition of the byproduct and the inability to use for fewer vapes offset the ease of use somewhat. Score: C
2. Flavor: Strong, very distinctive burning tobacco flavor. I personally found it harsh and distasteful. However, taste is very subjective, and there may be those who like this flavor. There is really only one flavor option available with this device, although there is a menthol variant. The menthol is a variation in that the menthol overlays the tobacco flavor, providing a cooler flavored vape. I suppose it could be described as a separate flavor.
I did not care for the flavor. That, coupled with the lack of any flavor options other than menthol, leads me to give a low score. Score: D
3. Vapor Production: Poor. Disappointing. I really can't describe it any other way. My strongest draws produced only vapor that I would describe as "light" and "wispy." On a par with a cigalike with a run-down battery. Score: F
4. Stealth Factor: Non-existent. Although the device is quite small and can be hidden in a cupped hand, once activated it continuously produces a light vapor that is easily detectable. Furthermore, the distinctive acrid smell of this product is easily detectable by others, many of whom find it objectionable. The vapor produced by this device also has a clinging and lasting characteristic, so others may still be able to smell this product on your breath, clothes, or in your vehicle hours after use. Score: F
5. Availabilty: High. This product is available in grocery stores, corner markets, and other retail establishments. One should be able to find these available within a few minutes drive, except in rural locales. Score: A
6. Cost: The pack I purchased cost a little over $5.00 US. For me, this was high. Individual expenditures on vape juice and hardware can vary greatly, but I believe that this figure would be in the high range for a daily expenditure for most vapers. For this reason, I gave it a low score. Score: D
7. Health and Safety: The vapor from this particular device has been documented to contain multiple carcinogenic agents. Use of this device is the #1 cause of preventable death in the US and accounts for close to half a million deaths annually. Score: F
8. Nicotine Delivery: Very effective. This device delivers nicotine swiftly and efficiently. There is some control over level of input by the user as these have regular, light, and ultra-light variants, which purport to have decreasing levels of nicotine. Score: A
Overall Score: D
Summary: This device is readily available and delivers nicotine very efficiently. I scored it high in those categories. However, in other categories, I scored it from average to below average. I would not recommend this product as a nicotine delivery system. There are many and much better systems available on the market, and would recommend the research and use of almost any one of these alternatives.
Great write-up!
