9. The Electronic Cigarette
If you are one of the millions of people addicted to smoking, there may be some hope in a possibly safer alternative. The electronic cigarette is a
device that gives the impression of smoking, while not emitting the thousands of chemicals that can cause health problems like cancer. The only chemical you consume in using the electronic cigarette is nicotine, and water vapor replaces the harmful smoke that emanates from cigarettes.
“For some people, this may be a big help to get them to quit smoking,” Dr. Ordon says. “We don’t want to get people on nicotine; that’s not good, either [because it] constricts your blood vessels, but it’s a lot better than consuming all that tar and charcoal and carbon monoxide [that is in cigarettes].”
The product is currently available in England, but has not yet been FDA approved. The Doctors try the cigarette and cigar versions. They speak to 41-year-old Beverly, who has been a smoker for 15 years and wants to quit so she can raise her baby daughter. Beverly tries the electronic alternative for a few days and returns with rave
reviews. “I am convinced it’s very good. It’s a great alternative,” she says. “It still gives you the action of smoking -- you inhale, you blow out -- so it’s not like a patch or chewing gum, which is something completely different. So I would, as a smoker, recommend it to smokers [who] are trying to give up. Most definitely.”
The Doctors do stress, however, that if it is approved, the electronic cigarette should only be used as an alternative to the real thing, because the nicotine in it can still be harmful to your health.
i let my membership expire. 
