Are Smoking Alternatives Safer Than Cigarettes?

Abstract

Smoking is defined, according to the medical dictionary, as the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Cigarettes are the conventional substances that people smoke but they have been discovered to be addicting and harmful to the body. Today, people are now using smoking alternatives that are perceived to be safer and cause less harm than the average cigarette. The smoking alternatives under discussion are e-cigarettes and hookah. E-cigarettes are advertised as less harmful and being a good smoking cessation aid, and hookah is advertised as less harmful and is used mainly as a social activity. The prevalence of use of these products has rapidly increased among young adults. Many individuals who use these alternatives are unable to name the contents of these substances. They both contain toxic substances which, when exposed to for a period of time, cause damage to the health; some examples of these are nicotine, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde etc. Ultimately, these smoking alternatives can still cause the same damage as cigarettes do; therefore, they are not a safer option.