Au contraire...
If all that were involved was water vapor, that'd be one thing. But the trend is toward multiple "flavorings" (and nicotine) whose vaporization has not been thoroughly tested, as their vaporized delivery have not yet experienced the long term studies.
Frankly, for an unknown product, with mostly unknown content to be introduced into one's lungs, and circulatory system is - at the least - dumb and very, very ill informed. But that's the power of advertising. Sell it first, discover the consequences later.
The early feedback isn't good...
Consider this:
"Electronic cigarettes, also called “e-cigarettes,” are battery-operated devices that generally contain cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. They are also available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people.
FDA’s analyses detected diethylene glycol, a chemical toxic to humans, and detected carcinogens, including nitrosamines. These products do not contain any health warnings. Because these products have not been submitted to the FDA for evaluation or approval, at this time the agency has no way of knowing the levels of nicotine or the amounts or kinds of other chemicals that the various brands of these products deliver to the user."
(Cite: FDA)
"
No problem, trust us" say these companies and their paid associations, who just like their carcinogenic brethren are sure to include addictive nicotine in their unproven delivery systems. A French consumer magazine tested e-cigs and found high levels of carcinogens; the French government is on the verge of banning them. Second hand "vapor" is another concern for those of us who'd prefer not to inhale their vaporized chemicals.
California has introduced Proposition 65 which is:
"WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm."
The following compounds that are on the Proposition 65 list have already been identified in mainstream or secondhand (sidestream) e-cigarette vapor:
Acetaldehyde (MS)
Benzene (SS)
Cadmium (MS)
Formaldehyde (MS,SS)
Isoprene (SS)
Lead (MS)
Nickel (MS)
Nicotine (MS, SS)
N-Nitrosonornicotine (MS, SS)
Toluene (MS, SS)
The real truth is this: if these e-cigs did nothing more than introduce water vapor alone, guess what? They wouldn't sell. The faux hook are the phony "flavors" and tastes whose vaporized effects are only beginning to be known. And the real hook?
Entrained and addictive nicotine. I consider the sale of e-cigs to not only be harmful, but bordering on immoral, particularly in promoting it as a healthy alternative. Worse yet are the selection of flavors and bong like delivery systems designed to appeal and to hook kids. Hey, it's fun and safe!
Pretty scummy if you ask me. Here's my prediction: these vapor toys will hook an awful lot of new people. Once their carcinogenic properties become formally confirmed, voila! These now hooked, new e-smokers will now turn easily and smoothly to real ciggies.
And why not? Another marketing victory...