The Differences

The the technology has changed dramatically over the years, and the best ones now, no longer have an expensive "atomizer" that dies regularly, making your entire device useless.

Watch my short May 2009 video below, and you'll see a 3 minute explanation...

I've been smoking for over 30 years now, and at about a pack a day, I know it's bad for me. It's horrible, it'll probably kill me, it stinks, I should be quitting, but the fact is, that I really don't "want" to!

But with these new electronic cigarettes, I've cut my "real" smoking more than in half, and I'm feeling better for it.

I first tried 'em way back in 2007, when they were really long and looked awkward, and I never really wanted to use 'em out in public.

Now, although they're not a complete substitute, they look more realistic, and for some people, it actually seems to be enough.

In my case, i can go until about 10:30 am before going for a smoke, whereas before the ecig, i was smoking outside by 7am at the latest. Sad, I know, but what can i say?

Throughout the day now, I pretty much alternate their use with real smokes. If I think about going out for a cigarette, I puff on this a couple of times until the next urge comes. Sometimes I go two or three urges between real smokes ;).

That's okay, because I didn't buy it to quit smoking. I bought it to get me through long conference calls, airplane rides, and poker games, which it's done quite nicely!

The way it works is with a cylindrical battery, that looks like the front of a cigarette, and what would normally be the filter, is a nicotine soaked material that's "vaporized" into a mist that resembles smoke, that even has the taste of tobacco.

You can blow smoke rings, french inhale, or even let it dangle while you shoot pool without it burning your eyes ;)

All sorts of consumer groups hate 'em because they come in flavors, and not only menthol, but others like coffee, vanilla, and even cherry, and they're being accused of marketing to kids. What, adults don't have a sense of taste?.

The 2009 one piece atomizer / nicotine cartridges usually last for about 15 - 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine, and at about $2.20 each, it's far cheaper than real cigarettes.

It doesn't taste harsh like a regular smoke can, but to be honest, cigarette "harshness" isn't a problem for me anyway - I think regular smokes taste just fine!

Anyway, I'm a fan, and I do recommend them highly...