There is currently a debate raging over the use of E Cigarettes. On one side of the debate are the stop smoking crowd that bristles at the thought of anyone using a device that looks like a cigarette to cut back on tobacco cigarettes and on the other side are smokers who have successfully replaced traditional cigarettes with the electronic device. The anti smoking crowd seems to be convinced that the only sure way to quit smoking is just to simply throw away the cigarettes and go through the withdrawal without any aid or help. While this method does work for some folks, others require a little bit of help to kick the nicotine habit.

The anti smoking crowd that would like to see the E Cigarette heavily regulated or banned must ask themselves a question. Who is best equipped to decide what will work to quit smoking, the smoker or someone who does not? The smoker has the best ability to determine for themselves whether an E Cigarette can help them cut back on traditional cigarettes or even make the switch to the electronic device completely. Some smokers have managed to replace their tobacco cigarettes with the electronic device and cut back on the health risks associated with smoking. The proof is in the pudding in this case. If the device helps, why attempt to take it away from smokers?

The electronic cigarette helps smokers relieve the deep psychological addiction to smoking and provides an alternative that looks and acts like a regular cigarette. Fighting this addiction to the act of smoking is a positive step for some who wish to quit smoking. Some smokers simply want to use a product that feels like a cigarette, delivers nicotine but does not produce the same negative health effects as burning a traditional cigarette. If this method works, why would anyone object?

Methods such as the patch, gum and lozenge for nicotine replacement do have their place for some smokers. If a smoker finds these methods helpful in their quest to quit, no one is stopping them from using them. However, for some reason the E Cigarette has encouraged objection and an adverse reaction in the anti smoking crowd. The only conclusion that can be drawn by this reaction is the desire to control the behaviour of smokers and not applaud an attempt to quit. The anti smoking crowd seems to be hell bent on controlling the behaviour of those who smoke and the E Cigarette demonstrates this elitist attitude very plainly.

The method used to quit is different for everyone. If an E Cigarette helps improve the health of a smoker it is a positive not a negative. No one complains when someone puts on a patch or chews a piece of nicotine gum. These methods are seen as positive steps in the right direction and so should the E Cigarette. There are some people who just enjoy the act of smoking, which may seem silly to some, but it is very real to the smoker. It is no one’s business how one chooses to handle a nicotine addiction.