Employer Factsheet: Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become popular substitutes for smoking tobacco. It is estimated that there are around 700,000 users of e-cigarettes in the UK.

The devices consist of an electronic inhaler that vaporises a liquid — which may or may not contain nicotine — and allows the user to inhale an aerosol mist.

Manufacturers of e-cigarettes provide different “flavours” of liquids (menthol, vanilla, coffee, etc) so that users can choose the taste that they prefer. The “flavours” are usually in a solution used in inhalers for medical purposes, ie for asthma. This provides the simulation of smoking.