Thailand Moving to Ban Electronic Cigarettes

E-cigarette in action

This is a story that I find myself very interested in because I have a vested interest on both sides of this coin. As a long time heavy smoker I recently decided it was time for me to quit. after serious research into all the products out there that purported to help smokers quit I finally came across one that did…it helped me quit in hours not days or months.

E-cigarette breakdownThe product I discovered was an Electronic Cigarette. There are many brands of e- cigarettes and they come in many shapes and sizes but they all utilize the same technology. The e- cigarette is commonly comprised of 3 parts: a battery, an atomizer and a cartridge that holds nicotine suspended in propylene glycol. The battery heats the atomizer which in turn vaporizes the propylene glycol which in turn delivers the nicotine into the lungs and produces a nice vapor that makes it look like you are smoking.

It doesn’t take long to realize that this device tackles many of the smokers problems in one fell swoop. Obviously the nicotine is a major factor but it also addresses the hand to mouth need and the ever important feel of smoking or action of inhaling and exhaling a vapor.

Unfortunately there are highly uneducated people in the world who happen to be in the pockets of big tobacco because as of this time many countries, including Thailand, are moving to ban e-cigarettes.

Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab ordered a study on information of electronic cigarettes to find measures to prevent importing e-cigarettes to Thailand because existing law doesn’t cover the new product.

The e- cigarette consists of a cartridge, an atomizer, and a rechargeable battery. It doesn’t contain tobacco but it has nicotine, propylene glycol, a chemical used in a fog machine, and fruity taste. Each cartridge is the equivalent of 15 conventional cigarettes.

The public health minister said that although e-cigarettes don’t emit smoke, they pose harm to smokers with the level of nicotine higher than found in conventional cigarettes.

He ordered the Food and Drug Administration to conduct a study of e-cigarettes and to discuss with agencies concerned to draw out preventive measures.

Mr. Chaiya said the target group of this new product is young people as they are eager to try a new thing.

He added that the intake of nicotine is approximately 50 microgrammes for each inhalation. The substance can cause harm to heart and blood vessels.

The level of nicotine in blood as high as 25-50 nanogrammes per millilitre can increase a risk of having Ischemic heart disease

E-cigarsThis seems to be the pat answer from related agencies world wide. In America the newly empowered FDA is looking at the e-cigarette the same way now that they are to control tobacco’s future.

The real problem here is the amount of nicotine delivered by the devices. You can buy pre-filled cartiges in strengths ranging from 0 mg of nicotine to 36 mg of nicotine as well as nicotine liquid in the same strengths that the user can fill their own cartridges with. Obviously nicotine does have the downside of contracting vessels and arteries but what exactly is the difference when a smoker of cigarettes can vary the amount of nicotine they receive by smoking more or less and they ingest over 4000 other chemicals along with that nicotine.

The tobacco company giants such as Phillip Morris have seen the future and it is indeed bleak for them. The tobacco giants wrote the bills that President Obama signed into law last week which gives them a leg up with the FDA. You can bet they have been at work world wide to get e-cigarettes banned.

Phillip Morris helps to kill over 400,000 of their best customers every year…the e-cigarette has not been linked to one death much less one illness since it’s introduction to the world in 2004.  Are you starting to see the BIG picture now?

E-pipeThailand and other countries are telling the world that these products should be banned because there is no way to regulate nicotine usage. While you could die if you ingested large amounts of nicotine by drinking it, by using a nicotine inhaler, vaporizer, or cigarette the most you could do is overdose on nicotine which is basically feeling dizzy, nauseated, and having a bad headache…looks like beer might have to be banned as well.

Aside from the fact that e-cigarettes are only delivering one chemical, nicotine, they also are helping people to cut down and stop smoking cigarettes which contain known carcinogens. In addition to tar, there is also carbon monoxide, ammonia and arsenic among other chemicals….4000 other chemicals!

Many studies including some sponsored by governments world wide, have shown that nicotine also has it’s upsides such as:

  • Nicotine maydelay the onset and effects of both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
  • Nicotine  may  improve symptoms of attention deficit disorder and also Tourette’s syndrome.
  • Nicotine has  been found to influence mood, mental alertness, and addiction.
  • Scientists have discovered that nicotine acts on nerve cells to enhance the release of neurotransmitters, chemicals that relay messages within the brain and nicotine increases a person’s ability to focus and pay attention.
  • Nicotine is also known to switch on receptors on the surface of cells in certain parts of the brain, causing these neurons to release the Neuro-transmitter dopamine, a chemical that is responsible for feelings of pleasure.

Why don’t we take the potential benefits of Nicotine seriously?

Efforts by the anti smoking lobby to stop smoking, have seen nicotine’s potential benefits not get the recognition they deserve. Nicotine is simply seen as being bad due to its association with smoking, even though it is just one of numerous chemicals contained in a cigarette.

This is really like saying wheat is bad for you as some beers use wheat in the brewing process and people die of alcohol abuse. Of course, wheat in it’s natural state is not the cause of death and we all know that, however we are less open minded on our view of nicotine.

I love Thailand and plan on living there soon enough. I also loved smoking but knew it was time to stop. I now have a device that allows me to enjoy a semblance of smoking and is very satisfying and yet it isn’t killing me. If the big tobacco companies have their way with the governments of the world I will soon enough be a criminal along with all the other e-cigarette users out there. Whether it be Thailand or America I will continue to use my e-cigarette and live to tell my tale.

Below are some videos showing the e-cigarette in action for those of you that have never seen it.

sig1 Thailand Moving to Ban Electronic Cigarettes

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15 Comments »

Comment by MikeNo Gravatar
2009-06-30 22:17:39

Talen this is an interesting one since I too am a smoker. A couple of questions please.

1. Can you readily buy refills?
2. Are refills expensive?
3. Do you feel better after using the device?
4. Would I be able to buy the device and refills in Thailand the way things stand at the moment?
Mike´s last blog ..Bangkok Bus Replacement-The Debate Simmers On. My ComLuv Profile

Comment by BobNo Gravatar Subscribed to comments via email
2009-12-10 01:25:30

Hi
I’ve been using these for about 3 months now, reduced my normal smoking by 30 to 40% The starter box costs 900bht wich includes 10 refills. Refills can also be bought for 10 refills 370bht in Medium or strong which I buy here in Pattaya.

 
 
Comment by TalenNo Gravatar
2009-06-30 22:58:17

1. Yes, not only can you buy refills but you can buy blank cartridges and your own nicotine juice to fill them.

2. refill cartridges can be but a box of blank carts are around $3.00 for 5. The liquid to fill them is about $20-$30 an ounce but can be bought in smaller quantities. The liquid seems to last a good while.

3.I feel like I have smoked. I get the nicotine and the sensation of inhaling and exhaling smoke…best of all my lungs are getting healthier now that I’m not suckin in tar.
4. Not sure if they can be bought in Thailand but as it stands now they can be used in Thailand and there are many online shops in America as well as the U.K.

Totally Wicked is an online dealer based in the U.K. and has a shop in America as well.

Mike, if you decide to give it a try look at the Joye 510 model also sold as the Titan, Yeti, and Dura C. It is very smooth and delivers a lot of vapor so it really satiates the need. The starter kit can be had for $60 or so and contains 2 complete e cigs.

 
Comment by TalenNo Gravatar
2009-06-30 23:02:29

Forgot to add that a lot of information on all the models out there including videos and supplier info can be found at the e-cig forums…Lots of American and U.K. peoples sharing info there.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/

Most of the devices are coming from China but there are a few being manufactures in America and the U.K. now and some really great nicotine liquids can be found as well.

Right now I’m vaping a tennessee cured tobacco liquid that tastes absolutely heavenly as well as a Liquid from the U.K. manufacturer Totally Wicked called Black Tea….smells and tastes like the real thing.

 
Comment by MartynNo Gravatar
2009-06-30 23:33:12

I first came across the electronic cigarette about 3 months ago when a central heating engineer came to fix my boiler, all of a sudden he starting “smoking” the e cig. I was fascinated by the vapours smoke like appearance. I told him he could have smoked anyway it wouldn’t have mattered and he then pulled out his hand rolling tobacco and started smoking. He said he only used the e cig when working in peoples homes but it was very good, I have been toying with the idea of buying one ever since.

The question I would like to ask is: Can you use it on an aeroplane?
Martyn´s last blog ..Thailand Country Life – A Survival Guide My ComLuv Profile

Comment by TalenNo Gravatar
2009-06-30 23:54:32

Martyn, Even though it’s said they can be smoked everywhere that’s often not the case. I highly doubt they would let you use the e-cigs on most airlines but if you inhaled and blew the vapor down your shirt no one would notice.

Non-smokers are the devil when they see you using these things in public but there is nothing they can do until they are outlawed. There is no second hand smoke.

 
 
Comment by foongpcNo Gravatar
2009-07-01 02:30:03

I don’t smoke but I think the e-cigarette is a great way for smokers to quit smoking. You are right, a real cigarette has so much more chemicals and poisons and it’s harmful to second hand smokers. Not with the e-cigarettes which I think is a win win for both smokers and non smokers alike. They should not ban it!

 
Comment by CatherineNo Gravatar
2009-07-01 04:43:09

Talen, this is wonderful. I have a friend dear to my heart who smokes and the possibilities scare me.

I’ll send him this post.

Thank you.
Catherine´s last blog ..Why Learning the Thai Language Needs To Be More Than a Study of Words and Grammar My ComLuv Profile

 
Comment by BobNo Gravatar
2009-07-01 07:20:14

The only danger they present is to to bottom line of the cessation manufacturing company that spent millions to get these bans in the first place, thereby undermining the entire purpose of smoking bans. Also, unlike Chantix, they have no mind altering drugs and can be safely used by airline pilots, railroad engineers, truck drivers, and others in jobs where public safety is an issue.

http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?ia=143&id=14912

 
Comment by E CigaretteNo Gravatar
2009-07-01 09:41:30

Think it is outrageous that these governments can say these should be banned as they ‘could’ be harmful when they know full well that regular cigarettes ‘are’ extremely harmful. Surely anything that could help smokers be ‘healthier’ has to be see as a revolutionary idea. It is simply down to money and pressure from the tobacco industry that is forcing this.

 
Comment by CatherineNo Gravatar
2009-07-01 12:58:24

Well, I’ve convinced my friend so let’s see if it works for him. I have all fingers crossed as it is so very important to me.

Comment by TalenNo Gravatar
2009-07-01 13:20:31

I hope it works for him. I’ve smoked for a long time and I stopped completely when I got my e-cigarette. MAke sure he does some research so he starts off on the right foot and everything should be fine.

 
 
Comment by Electronic CigarettesNo Gravatar
2009-07-01 17:19:32

Electronic cigarettes save me a ton of money and they are really cool. I hope they don’t get banned for some weird reason.

 
Comment by ErikNo Gravatar
2009-07-02 08:28:12

I agree that the electronic cigarette is the way of the future for people who want to quit smoking but also for people who really could care less about smoking. With all the health benefits using the electronic cigarette and all the downsides to smoking tobacco cigarettes it baffles me why the FDA is having a hard time approving them. I have been using the electronic cigarette for 2 months now and have not touched a tobacco cigarette since. Funny thing it I didn’t even want to quit smoking. Great article keep them coming.

 
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