Overview of e-Cigarettes and e-Liquids

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (ENDS) were introduced to the market particularly for addicted smokers to quit the habit of conventional tobacco smoking. The process behind e-cigarettes is heating an e-liquid/juice using a battery to generate an aerosol or vapor. There are four generations of electronic cigarettes in the market; cigar like, tanks, mods and pods. The evolution of these models of electronic cigarettes has affected the young generation for two decades. Most electronic cigarette manufacturers add nicotine, flavors, other addictive chemicals and sometimes illicit products to e-liquids; thus, e-cigarettes have become a global health issue. Scientists have revealed that the content of e-liquids can create many long-term and short-term health problems including EVALI. Thus, many countries are in the process of regulating the market of electronic cigarettes. e-Cigarettes are new to the Sri Lankan society and they can be easily embraced by the younger generation due to unawareness of the dark side of these products. In this overview, components of e-cigarettes, chemicals present in e-liquids, generation of e-cigarettes, growth of e-cigarette market, and health concerns associated with vaping of e-cigarettes are presented.