Are Electronic Cigarettes a Healthy Alternative?

Smoking tobacco cigarettes has continually become less attractive and unhealthy within todays culture. In the 1970's around 40% of people smoked tobacco cigarettes, today only 19% of the U.S. population are active smokers. With the decline in cigarette smokers, quitting has become a trend, and so has the electronic cigarette.

Many tobacco smokers started because they thought it was a way to look cool or fit in with a crowd. With the abundance of health risks associated with tobacco smokers, the desire to become smoke free has increased. Quitting smoking methods are available everywhere for cigarette smokers, but the one that strikes me as odd is the electronic cigarette. How does this help you quit smoking if you still have the hand-to-mouth motion and you are inhaling pure nicotine vapor? Many people claim they have become more active and healthy after using an e-cig but the facts are unclear. The FDA claims that they are not sure that it is safe and that studies have not been completed when concerning the inhalation of pure nicotine.

Also, whats up with being able to smoke e-cigs inside? Although there isn't any smoke or burning, there is still nicotine vapor that is being released into the air and other people can inhale it therefore making it second hand vapor. I mean if some countries like Canada and Mexico have already banned electronic cigarettes, shouldn't we take a second look? Not a lot of research has been done and nobody can prove they're safe.

As a cigarette smoker myself, I feel it is a disgusting habit and i want to quit. Do you think the electronic cigarette will help wean people off tobacco cigarettes or is it just a new way to smoke?