smoking alternative

We all know smoking is injurious to health, but kicking the habit is next to impossible for most of us, at least till now.

Banning smoking in public places, restaurants and pubs has not helped much. And neither have products such as nicotine patches or chewing gum managed to make much impact.

But now a unique new ‘e- cigarette’ marketed by a Chennai-based firm shows promise of helping one finally kick the habit.

No side-effects

As “e-smokers”, we’re lucky - we have a choice as to whether we smoke our e-cigarettes with nicotine, or without! Cool huh? Well, since this site has been in operation, I have received many questions from people new to e-smoking, who are unsure of whether they should go with cartridges containing nicotine, or not.

Smokers can puff legally at indoor bars and cafes with a battery-powered "electronic cigarette" because its nicotine hit comes in a vapour.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that using the device would not breach the Smokefree Environments Act, which extended workplace smoking bans.

Lyttelton health researcher Dr Murray Laugesen is involved in safety tests of the product - which has a glowing tip to emulate real cigarettes - for the China-based company that makes it.

Electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes) are a relatively new invention that - with recent improvements in the technology - has become quite popular in recent months. The claim is that they look, feel, and taste very similar to regular cigarettes, however rather than burning tobacco, they release a nicotine based water vapor when you inhale. T

It seems June is the season to launch e-cigarettes, as it's coming up to the anniversary of the smoking ban. Another contender is stepping up to join the likes of the Super Smoker and the Gamucci, and this version is called the MiNi.

It provides a legal way to smoke indoors, as it contains no tar or carcinogens, and doesn't burn. When you inhale on it, the end glows a 'realistic' red and you even exhale smoke. The smoke in question is really steam, which is perfectly harmless, and created by the cigarettes vaporising action.