Since the early 2000s, the market of products for adult smokers has changed a lot. The appearance of the electronic cigarettes (e-cig) and, subsequently, of the tobacco warming devices, has made available several alternatives to traditional smokingBelow, we will see what the main characteristics of these products are, and how they differ from traditional cigarettes.
Contents
Characteristics of traditional smoking
By 'traditional smoking' we generally mean a category of products for adult smokers based on a tobacco mixture for burning, which provide cigarettes, cigars e loose shreddedDuring the combustion process, various substances are released, including nicotine (which is addictive), and smoke, ash and other solid residues are produced.
How electronic cigarettes work
Launched on the market in the early 2000s, electronic cigarettes are products for adult nicotine consumers. From a technical point of view, they are vaporization devices, powered by a lithium-ion battery. Inside them, in fact, there is a cartridge, containing a liquid solution composed by water, aromas food and other substances (glycerol, vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol). In addition, there is a variable amount of nicotine which, by law, cannot exceed 20 mg/ml.
The liquid is transformed into an aerosol by means of a clearomizer It equipped with a electrical resistance; the vaporization mechanism is activated by the passage of air inhaled from the mouthpiece, where there are special sensors. The vapor emitted by the device contains variable concentrations of nicotine.
Alternatives: Heated Tobacco and HP
I tobacco warming devices, on the other hand, are more recent than e-cigs and also represent an alternative to traditional smoking.
Heaters are also electronic devices powered by a lithium-ion battery, but inside them a disposable sticks*; the latter contains a tobacco blend, which can be flavoured with various fragrances, fruity or fresh. Products of this type are called 'with heated tobacco' Why the mixture does not burn, despite being exposed to high temperatures;absence of combustion in fact, it constitutes the main difference compared to traditional cigarettes.
There are also some on the market tobacco-free heating sticks; for devices glo TM, for example, in fact there is an herbal alternativea whirlpool bath, blend composed of dried Rooibos leaves (a shrub native to South Africa). The mix is flavored with various fragrances and is heated without combustion like sticks containing tobacco. Since contains nicotine, is among the products intended for adult smokers.
How a tobacco heater works
The heaters are equipped with a heating chamber, consisting of the cylindrical slot into which the disposable stick containing the tobacco mixture is inserted. The devices use a special internal system, powered by the battery, to generate the heat necessary to heat the tobacco according to preset temperature profiles. For this purpose, tobacco warmers are equipped with software and control sensors, which prevent tobacco combustion by modulating the heating process.
But how is tobacco actually heated? The two most commonly used solutions are:
- il inductive heating, based on Induction Heating Technology. The heat is generated by induction, using a metal coil wrapped around the chamber where the disposable stick is inserted. When the electric current passes through the metal filament, it generates a slight electromagnetic field inside the slot, which releases the heat needed to heat the mixture. This technology is also used by devices glo ™ of the most recent generation;
- il resistive heating, instead, uses the principle of electrical resistance. In this case, the device has an element composed of a material with conductive capabilities (resistor) but which, at the same time, partially hinders the flow of electrical current. This determines a sort of 'friction', by virtue of which the element overheats, thus producing the heat needed to warm the tobacco mixture present in the stick.
The result of the heating process is a tobacco vapor containing nicotine but free of solid residues such as ash, one of the products of combustion in traditional cigarettes.
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*Tobacco or herbal Rooibos sticks containing nicotine, an addictive substance.
These products are not risk-free and contain nicotine, an addictive substance.
Article published on 3 December 2024 - 19:31
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The article explains well the changes in the smoking market. But it is not clear whether e-cigs are safer than traditional cigarettes, are there studies that confirm this? They should be clearer.
Yes, the topic is interesting but there is too much technical information that does not help to understand. Perhaps a simpler approach would be better for less experienced readers.
I think that traditional smoking is still dangerous, even with alternatives such as electronic cigarettes. It would be useful to have more data on the long-term effects of these new products.