Fire Safe Cigarettes

The leading cause of fire deaths in American for the past 30 years has been cigarette fires as reported by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Older smokers seem to be at the greatest risk. Senior smokers die four times more than others, one in ten building fires with fatalities that are caused by cigarettes end with the death of an older smoker. Cigarette fires kill 700-900 people a year.

Many people are concerned about the manufacturing of cigarettes, as the additives and chemicals in the design are deadly and many are known carcinogens. Other ingredients and additives enhance the burning rate. This is believed to be responsible for the high rate of fires by cigarettes. Controversial additives in cigarettes include cyanide, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood alcohol or methanol, acetylene (to fuel welding) and ammonia are among the ingredients that have medical professionals and regulatory bodies concerned. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide are also part of cigarette smoke. Nicotine and tar are known elements that lead directly to health, addiction and other risks. Tobacco leaves may have radioactive materials, the level and severity of the radioactivity depends on the fertilizers and chemicals used in growing the tobacco. Ammonium and sodium phosphate and sodium and potassium citrate are added to cigarettes to keep the burn rate steady even when not actively puffed.

There are cigarettes that reduce the likelihood of burning if left unattended. The so called “fire safe” cigarettes, while tobacco companies claim this is a misleading name, and that the cigarettes actually can still start fires and will sometime burn long enough to catch flammable materials on fire in nearby areas to where they are burning.

Fire safe cigarettes are designed to stop burning if left unattended. Often manufacturers of cigarettes add thin bands of paper that is less porous. This acts as a stop gap, slowing down the burn rate of the cigarette. Once the cigarette burns to this point, if unattended it should self extinguish. This will save lives, especially for senior citizens who may fall asleep with a cigarette burning.

Part of the concern is the additives in cigarettes designed to improve burn, but fire safe cigarettes are available. Tobacco companies are not coming forward to self regulate the need to produce only fire safe cigarettes, so in many cases legislation has been proposed to regulate the production and manufacturing of fire safe brands of cigarettes. The lobbyists have put time and effort in stopping the mandates, but in some states the fire safe legislation has emerged in states like New York, California and Vermont and Illinois and New Hampshire looking like they will follow suit. In many cases, however the lobbyists have succeeded in stalling the regulations. This resulted in a miss match of laws and regulations for tobacco companies.

Even though the manufacturers of cigarettes still claim the fire safe cigarettes can be a hazard, independent research reports (National Fire Protection Association) that fire safe cigarettes can reduce fires caused by unattended cigarettes by 75%. In New York the initial findings after the adoption of the fire safe legislation seems to support the National Fire Protection Association findings as fatalities from cigarette fires were down a third for the first six months post adoption of the new requirements.

Many people have looked to electronic cigarettes as an alternative to the standard cigarette as a solution for the fire safety concerns. Battery operated nicotine delivery systems are part of the electronic cigarette design. The absence of the chemicals and additives of standard cigarettes have given smokers the impression that the electronic cigarettes are safer. The use of this substitute reduces the effects of the chemicals, carcinogens and tars that have other associated risks. Electronic cigarettes do not burn, which does make them less of a risk for fires.

Clearly the safest cigarettes are the ones never lit. Cigarettes have serious health risks, and in many cases lead to devastating and debilitating disease including emphysema, illness and death. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, consider meeting with your medical professional to create a cessation plan that will integrate support, new behaviors, nicotine replacement and a network of resources to enhance your potential for success in stopping smoking. This will ultimately reduce your risk of cigarette based fires, health problems and fatal consequences from the side effects of tobacco and cigarette smoking.

What to do where smoking bans are enforced

The United States Congress and President Obama recently passed legislation that will require the FDA to develop “graphic” labels for cigarette packaging in the next two years.  The word warning will have to be written in size 17 capital letters.  They will have to drop the “this product may cause…” type of language and say simply, “Smoking can kill you,” or “Smoking causes a slow and painful death.”  Countries like Brazil go one step further:  they show images like a cadaver with a hole in its throat, a gangrened foot, or a mouth rotting from disease.

Not pleasant, but neither is smoking.  Smokers have been pushed further and further from public buildings, and even private establishments – and for good reason.  It is harmful to not only the smokers, but to everyone around them.  In the past decade, smoking has been banned from restaurants and even the one time safe haven of smokers, bars.  You cannot smoke at work or in stores.  You may not even smoke in your own home or car because you don’t want the lingering fumes and toxins affecting your family.

If you have spent your last break huddled against freezing temperatures or sweltering in the heat, you may be ready for a switch.  Remember the days when smoking was allowed everywhere?  Those days are now.  Why don’t you take your next smoke break at your desk or while you wait for your food in a restaurant?

But isn’t smoking banned virtually everywhere?  Traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are, certainly.  But with an innovative electric cigarette kit, you can “smoke” without smoke.   E-cigarettes, also called smokeless cigarettes, are designed to mimic the look, feel, and taste of cigarettes but without the harmful chemicals, foul odor, and flame.

How does it work?  An e-cigarette has a battery and vaporizer in one small, slim unit.  Onto this, you attach an e-liquid cartridge, which contains the nicotine and flavoring.  You inhale, which activates the vaporizer.  An odorless, nontoxic vapor is created.  This is what the smoker inhales, and the remainder dissipates harmlessly within seconds.  It is absolutely safe for those around the smoker.

Because it contains none of the 4000 chemicals found in cigarettes, has no smoke, and requires no flame, these e-cigarettes can be enjoyed anywhere.  If you want to “light up” in a restaurant, you are free to do so.  If you want to have a cigarette while at the movie theater or bar, you can.  You can have one in your car on the way to work – you can even have one at work, if you want.

You may encounter a few scowling looks when people think you are lighting up a traditional cigarette.  If you are asked about it, you can simply assure people that it is a smokeless cigarette and is not harmful to anyone.  You may even convert a few smokers when they see that you can enjoy your cigarette anywhere and anytime you like.

Smoking bans serve a very real and very important purpose.  Your decision to smoke should not impact those around you, and with e-cigarettes, it will not.  You still may not want to have one while in a meeting with your boss, but at least you know you can have one during lunch or during a quick break.  It’s time to come in from the cold and try e-cigarettes.

How to Get the Best Electronic Cigarette

You are ready to make the switch.  You are ready to turn your back on smelly, musty clothes and hair, yellow fingertips, and stale breath.  You are ready to stop sneaking off for smoke breaks or chewing gum and trying to air yourself out before going to work.  You are ready to run and not be short of breath.  You are ready to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, emphysema, and lung cancer.  You are ready to find the best electronic cigarette and take a giant step towards a better life and a healthier future.

If you have ever tried to stop smoking, you know how difficult it can be.  We don’t keep smoking because we think it’s the cool thing to do or because we think it won’t hurt our health.  What makes you buy a new pack when you’ve sworn the last was your last?  It is the chemicals and carcinogens and additives.  We become both physically and psychology dependent on cigarettes.

While e-cigarettes do, in fact, contain nicotine, they do not contain the thousands of chemicals found in traditional tobacco cigarettes.  You can also dial down the levels of nicotine gradually, putting yourself on the road to successful quitting. If you want to try electric cigarettes, now is the time to find the answers to your questions and select the best product you can.

There are many things to look for in an e-cigarette.  Before you buy, ensure that the one you select will have the following features:

A two-part construction.  Many older versions of the electric cigarette had multiple pieces, which is undesirable for many reasons.  You could easily lose parts; it is difficult to find the spare parts when you need them; you could fail to put it back together properly; it was hard to keep clean and free of build-up.  Two pieces are all you need.  The main part of the “cigarette” actually houses the battery.  The cartridge, which contains the e-liquid simply screws into the battery. It is simple, fast, and easy to change cartridges.

Batteries and chargers.  The battery should come with a wall charger and a USB charger.  This way, you can plug it in at home or at work through your computer.  It adds another layer of convenience.

Cartridges available in varying levels of nicotine.  This is absolutely essential if you are using an e-cigarette to quit smoking.  You need to be able to adjust your nicotine intake and reduce it gradually.

If you prefer menthol or flavored tobacco, make sure the provider you choose offers different flavors.  Typically, you can find cherry, vanilla, coffee, menthol, and classic tobacco.

Be sure that each cartridge will last quite some time.  A good refill will last for about 250-300 puffs, which is the equivalent of about half to one and a half packs of cigarettes.  The savings is enormous.  Five refills cost about $12; that could translate into almost three and a half packs on the low side and seven and a half on the high side.  You could pay $12 or $31.50 or $67.50.  A clear choice.

Ingredients.  If you want to switch from traditional cigarettes to electronic versions, make sure that you are getting less.  You don’t want a long list of additives.  Premium E-Cigarettes, for example, have four elements:  water, propylene glycol, an FDA-approved food additive, nicotine, and a tobacco-simulated flavor.

Cost.  Another reason why people switch is to save money.  Make sure that the cost of the unit is affordable, and the cost of the refills will translate into real savings for you.  You can find great smokeless cigarettes from $50 to $80.  There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on expensive units.

 You’re ready.  Do your body, skin, teeth, hair, heart, lungs, family, and friends a favor:  stop using traditional tobacco products and switch to e-cigarettes.  You will be surprised how little you miss them.

If You Need a Cigarette, Electric Versions Can Help

Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy; I’ve done it hundreds of times.”  How many New Year’s resolutions have you broken?  How many times have you promised yourself or your loved ones that you would stop?  Though you want to, quitting is one of the hardest things to do.  It is hard on the body as you go through cravings, and it is harder on the mind as you become psychologically dependent on cigarettes.  Do patches and gum work?  For some.  But for others who need to have the tactile experience of smoking a cigarette, electric, smokeless versions can help.

Tobacco products contain thousands of harmful chemicals, as well as nicotine.  By itself, nicotine is not necessarily harmful.  It is, however, what makes cigarettes so addictive.  It is the many chemicals and carcinogens that cause a host of illnesses.  Electric cigarettes take out the chemicals, leaving only water, FDA-approved propylene glycol, nicotine, and a tobacco flavoring.  Instead of inhaling and exhaling a cloud of noxious smoke, you breathe in an odorless, harmless vapor, which itself dissipates within only seconds.  If you want to quit, this is a good way to get the experience of having a cigarette without the actual smoke and toxins.

Many people try to quit by switching from regular strength or unfiltered cigarettes to light or ultra-light versions.  The difference is that the manufacturer puts tiny holes in the filter to create more oxygen flow and less tar.  The problem with that, however, is when you hold the cigarette, you cover these holes.  You are not getting less tar, less nicotine, or fewer health risks.

E-cigarettes, on the other hand, are available with varying levels of nicotine.  If you are a heavy smoker, you may start with a nicotine level of 16 mg. Gradually, you can decrease that level. With your next set of refills, you can get 11 mg. After staying at that level for a while, you can decrease again to six. By this time, your physical dependence on cigarettes should be greatly reduced. If you still need the feeling of having a cigarette, you can get a very low nicotine level, 6 mg, or even an e-cigarette with no nicotine. Instead, e-cigarettes release a flavored vapor.

Quitting smoking is very much like dieting.  You may be very successful while you are in your home with distractions, like movies, music, or a punching bag.  You may be great at work.  But when you get together with your friends and go to a party or other place where others will be smoking, it is that much more difficult.  It’s like going to a big buffet when you’re trying to lose weight.  Our good intentions and good work go right out the window.  An e-cigarette is perfect for these situations.  Instead of lighting up, you take out your electric cigarette.  It is a healthier alternative that still allows the feeling of smoking.  And maybe you can inspire your friends to make the switQuitting smokingch as well.

Quitting doesn’t have to happen all at once.  Going cold turkey is tremendously difficult for most people.  Instead, an approach where you decrease your nicotine levels gradually will allow you to adjust so you don’t turn to food or bad moods to compensate.

is one of the best things that you can do for your health, your family, your appearance, and your wallet.  It doesn’t have to be torturous; you can do it.  It is a matter of choosing the right tools.  Electric cigarettes can help you make this time the time that you succeed.

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