Virtual Smokescreen

India has become one of the biggest markets for e-cigarettes which have also made their presence felt in Europe and other countries. Subjects of debate and scrutiny everywhere,e-cigarettes have found an easier market in South East Asia where the young population is addicted to smoking. Dr Ashish Goel,chest specialist at Jehangir Hospital,says,“They have been around since the past two-three years,but arrived in India only a few months back. Researchers are still studying their effects,but they do seem to offer a viable option for people who wish to cut down on their smoking.”

A Google search for e-cigarettes reveals the growing market in India; the first page lists seven India-based websites that offer them,with attractive options for versions that range between Rs 250 and Rs 1500. The ‘e-cigs’ come in a starter kit,a regular kit and a deluxe kit. “They contain a very small percentage of nicotine,that doesn’t do significant damage to the health of a person,but helps eliminate other effects,such as the smell,the staining of teeth,and the tar deposition in the chest,” says Dr Goel.

Websites like http://www.smokefree.in ,www.steamlite.in and http://www.vapours.in,even claim to have over 10,000 satisfied customers who have successfully used their products. A testimonial by a user on http://www.smokefree.in reads,”People around me always curse me for my smoking habit but with Smokefree Electronic Cigarette I can see myself breaking this habit and even enjoy it at places where smoking is strictly prohibited.” Almost all of these websites also offer literature on how the device works. The filter part of the device,also called the cartridge,contains a flavoured liquid that is converted to vapour by an atomiser unit present below it. The main white barrel of the e-cigarette is the battery that can be recharged using a USB port.

It is not surprising then,that a lot of local paanwallahs in the city have started stocking up on these devices. Ashok Nair,who runs a small paan shop on the busy JM Road says,“These kits come with 10 filters that if smoked in moderation are equivalent to 20 packs of regular cigarettes. I usually sell 10 to 15 units in a week.” Offering more insight into their usage is http://www.vapours.in. Run by Delhi-based Jet Age Creations,the site even has a savings calculator that enables a smoker to decide how much money one can save a year,depending on the number of cigarettes smoked in a day. This can be compared with the e-cigarettes to show the smoker the economic viability of the device.

All said and done,countries across the globe have different stances regarding their usage. “One of the most common concerns that people have is that for someone who is not a smoker,these cigarettes are an affable substitute to the real thing. Also,even though they are a healthier option,most of the e-cigarettes are just ways to help reducing or in some cases help quit smoking. They cannot be considered as an alternative for smoking,” informs Dr Goel.

Puffy Tech

The e-cigarette brand Blu,based in America,has recently launched a newer version of its cigarette brand that will help social networking. The packs of e-cigarettes will have sensors that will let users know when other e-smokers are nearby. They also beep when the person passes by a Blu store that sells refill cartridges for the cigarettes.