All smoke,no fire

“Internationally,we launched the product last year. We have over 26 distributors across the globe but the response has been overwhelming,especially in UK and USA. Making it available in India is another step forward in order to complete a target of 50 countries by this year end,” said Sunil Kumar,director,SPK Consumer Solutions Pvt Ltd.

The e-cigarette consists of a heating coil,a cartridge,a sensor or smart chip,an atomisation chamber and a lithium battery with an LED that simulates the glowing of a real cigarette. Further,the battery can be charged with the help of a car or a USB charger. “What creates the virtual experience of smoking is the vapour generated from the cartridge due to the heating of the coil,which in turn,is inhaled by the smoker,” added Kumar.

Advancement in the traditional methods of cigarette-alternatives such as chewing gums and patches,the e-cigarette,based on Nicotine Replacement Therapy,gives smokers the feeling of smoking a cigarette without the dangers of a traditional cigarette. “Traditional smoking,considered a major risk factor for a number of heart diseases,strokes,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer,is known to produce 22 mg nicotine for a pack of 20. Further,it produces 4000 toxic gases that are harmful for the smokers. The e-cigarette comes with options of 16,nine,four and zero mg nicotine. Itcuts all these harmful gases and allows only nicotine,that too at a reduced concentration of 10 per cent to reach the lungs. We’ve made it available in non- nicotine versions,with flavours such as- chocolate,coffee and mint,” added Kumar.

Another much talked-about side effect of cigarette is passive smoking and while creating the same output-smoke as the traditional cigarette,the e-cigarette claims to be harmless for passive smokers too. “Output smoke is important to give the feel of a real smoking experience. While keeping the smoke intact,we have just reduced toxins that are a part of the smoke generated from a traditional cigarette. Further,there is no CO2 as there is no burning,” said Aarti Jha,manager,SPK Consumer Solutions Pvt Ltd.

Bengaluru-based businessman Navin Narayanan has been using the e-cigarette for the past four months and said,“I used to smoke six regular cigarettes earlier,but started using e-cigarette four months ago. While reduced nicotine intake is one aspect,the added advantage has been that I now smoke only two cigarettes per day.”

As many turn to this fancy gadget with a hope to quit smoking and as the Internet gets stormed with enquiries about effectiveness of the e-cigarette in getting rid of traditional cigarette,manufacturers prefer to call it an alternative and not a remedy.

Kalyan Gangwal,a Pune-based anti-tobacco crusader has a word of caution. “An addiction is independent of the percentage of nicotine one inhales. In fact,side-effects of reducing the nicotine percentage can be that one smokes more cigarettes per day in order to meet the quota. Nicotine is carcinogenic,no matter how much or how little of it is consumed. I would advice smokers to become determined to quit smoking rather than choosing mind games that might just give self assurance and no results,” said Gangwal.