Thinking of switching to E-Cig

[jim kawaputra]

Hi all. I'm thinking of switching to e-cig. I've been smoking for about 15 years now. My reason is not really to try and quit, but more to reduce the risks associated with normal ciggies. I do intend to quit one day, but that day is not this soon, at least. I've been trying to find out whether it is less harmful to smoke e-cig than normal cigs, and the result I got from a short googling research is that e-cigs are less harmful than normal cigs (please correct me if i'm wrong)

However, in my country, Malaysia, our Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai (not a doctor, oddly?) have said that e-cigs is more harmful than normal cigs! See: http://www.nst.com.my/latest/e-ciggy-is-more-dangerous-than-normal-ones-1.201312

In another statement, he said that e-cigs can cause all sorts of "chronic diseases". He did not however gave reasons for making these statements. But being the "Health Minister" I would expect him be have some basis for making such statements.

What comes to my mind however is that the minister does not know what he's talking about. Maybe there is an ulterior motive in making such statements? Are they trying to prevent e-cigs from selling well? I don't know. Maybe they're just thinking from the point of view of non-smokers taking up e-cigs, worried more people start smoking?

The legal status of e-cigs in Malaysia is confusing. One report says that its banned: E-cigarette usage may lead to various chronic diseases | My Sinchew

Another report says that the sale/purchase of the e-cig device is not banned, but sale of the liquid nicotine is regulated under the Poisons Act, hence vendors must register with the Health Ministry: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/02/20/e-cigarettes-not-banned-but-liquid-used-listed-as-poison/

Greetings

 

[wandawag]

welcome to the forum. i can tell you my personal story. i am disabled, i have a primary care doc, a rheumatologist, a pain management doctor, and a cardiologist. all 4 of these doctors are very happy that i am vaping, and not smoking analogs. i did not want one (analog) from my very first vape. i don't believe my panel of specialists would support vaping if it is worse than smoking. just my story....but i will forever vape...and am personally forever done with the stinkies. after smoking 45 years, last smoke was dec.7, 2012...so over 3 months now....you can do it too.

 

[Chimney34]

Hey there & welcome to ecf! Wow! I can't believe he made that kind of statement. Personally I smoked for 15 years. I've just made it to 3 months of vaping. I can say that I've noticed a big difference. When I'm walking the dog I don't get winded anymore. Lol! In all seriousness though, I'm no longer short of breath & I don't get winded when I have to take the stairs. Overall I feel much better than I did when I was a smoker. I never intended to quit & can't say that I'll ever quit vaping. Much like you I wanted to decrease the risks associated with smoking. And oddly enough my doctor is glad that I made the switch!! Good luck to you on making your decision but I say give it a shot!! You having nothing to lose!

 

[Baditude]

Hi, Jim, and welcome.

I can't speak for the situation in your country, but the legal and politcial situation surrounding e-cigarettes the world over is currently in turmoil. There are no genuine, scientific studies of the long term effects of e-cigarettes. Mainly because they have not been used in large numbers until the last few years. A government agency granted the power to regulate or ban e-cigarettes are about to release their recommendations in the upcoming month which will determine the future of electronic cigarettes in the United States. This could be as minor as regulation and taxation or as major as an all out ban.

Since you are a new member of this forum, you will have restrictions to only use this sub-forum until you complete 5 posts. Once you have those and the forum resets (done every hour), you will be able to visit and ask questions in the other sub-forums. One in particular that you will be interested in is a Malaysia sub-forum:

Malaysia Forum

 

[dbeast64]

Welcome.....

Like the wonderful folks above,I was a long time smoker(29 years) and had my last one on Jan 19th when I picked up my first ecig. Haven't looked back since that day and don't plan to,it's 3 days from 2 months for me and every day is looking better

Experience says that those that should know what is going on aren't always the ones that do.

 

[fat chocolate]

Welcome. Electronic cigarettes are an excellent way to go. They are cheaper and yes safer. There was a scare a bit ago with propalyne glycol which is used in antifreeze, but the grade used is safe for human consumption. That being said the only real health risks are the nicotine. It is definitely worth a shot. You will be amazed how well electronic cigarettes will make your cravings for analog cigarettes vaporize!!

 

[jim kawaputra]

Thanks a lot for the welcome, guys.

I'm more inclined to try the e-cig now. Will check out the Malaysian forum. Next is to find the right device.

 

[Nazz68]

Hello Jim...I am from Malaysia too and I can answer your questions. Firstly...that statement made by the Minister is totally unfounded. He made that statement unprepared and without any scientific evidence to back up his claims. Secondly, he was also seen at a later date at a launch event for another ecig company that opened up in Malaysia....now hows that for someone who had just made such claims.

Another thing, there was a segment during one of the early morning programs where a doctor was talking about ecigs. He's claim (the doctor's) was that ecigs are wayyyyy safer than analogs. He also said that the lvl of nicotine inhaled is much less than analogs....even when the liquid says it's 12mg or 16mg.

As for the legal status of ecigs....right now....it is legal to import ecigs. They're categorized as "computer accessories". In fact I myself am importing ecigs from China and selling them locally. It is also legal to import eliquid with nicotine content...BUT you must have a licence to import any eliquid with nicotine (which I admit...many sellers don't do). It is legal to sell and produce eliquids without nicotine tho.

I hope that clears up your lungs and and your mind

 

[XxTBoNeeXx]

if you're thinking of switching personally I would try smoke to live your lifetime warranty on everything you buy.stay away from Blu

 

[Mariss716]

There is a Malaysia sub forum here you can join once your post count is up. You will meet other vapers from your country and get specific answers to your questions regarding the legality of ecigs and their availability.

And, welcome to ECF! You will reduce 99.9% of the risks associated with smoking because they are associated with combustion of all those nasty chemicals. There is a wealth of information available here.

Edit: there ya go, somebody from Malaysia already posted above. See we are happy to help and welcome you.

 

[boipayn]

Welcome. I can only speak from personal experience as a person who smoked analogs for 20 years and has been vaping for a little over one year - I have never felt better. I breathe better. I no longer wheeze at night. I can walk up a flight or two of steps (or more) - I smell better - Man, I did not realize how bad analogs really smelled until I had quit for a while then smelled them again. YUCK!!!
Vaping is fun, has no smell, For me - it has no effect on my lungs. I never feel out of breath or have a cough, or get winded.
It just made sense health wise. I hope you make the choice that is right for you.

 

[JahJahLoO]

There no evidence to his claims; feels like an attempt to put e-cigs down, for the benefit of tobacco companies.

Perhaps cause Asia makes up a major portion of the smoking community as well as tobacco cultivation.

 

[jim kawaputra]

@JahJahLoo & Nazz68,

Yea, i thought this might be the case with the minister's statement. Seems irresponsible if we consider the fact that e-cigs may have the potential of saving many lives?? And he even attended a launching of an e-cig company??

Anyway thanks all for sharing your experiences using e-cigs. I'm more convinced now.

 

[IntelligentDesigner]

I know little to nothing about the e-cig laws in Malaysia. I know little to nothing about tobacco's influence over there. And I know little to nothing about how much research they do in Malaysia on e-cigs, or what the laboratories are like over there. But I do know there have been millions upon millions researching and developing them in some top quality US laboratories and little to no harm has been deduced thus far. I don't believe a word of what your health minister says in the quotes you posted.

I wish you the best in acquiring yourself a vaporizer/e-cig and your vaping future. Your date of completely quitting smoking may be sooner than you think.

 

[zydeco]

I'm new around here but I have to say that that kind of statement is just as rife in the EU,

"tobacco good, e-cigs bad"

 

[jmadden22]

What comes to my mind however is that the minister does not know what he's talking about. Maybe there is an ulterior motive in making such statements? Are they trying to prevent e-cigs from selling well? I don't know. Maybe they're just thinking from the point of view of non-smokers taking up e-cigs, worried more people start smoking?

That dude is a *expletive* idiot. The statements he made regarding liquid nicotine and diseases are completely asinine. That said, he most likely made them up because e-cigarettes are an obvious threat to one of your country's main exports: tobacco.

 

[bencooper74]

As some other's have stated there have not been any long term studies done. But, my cousin is a pulmonary doctor and recommends e-cig's to all his smoking patients. He says he sees vast improvements in his patients who have switched to vaping after a year of being analog free. At the very least, it can't possibly be more harmful than smoking the 400 chemicals found in regular tobacco. Not to mention the money you will be saving, better smelling clothes and reducing the stains on fingers and teeth.