DEAR DR. GOTT: I was at a meeting several nights ago. During a break in the program, a gentleman excused himself to go outside so he could smoke what he called an e-cigarette. I didn’t have the time to ask him much about it but am certainly intrigued by it. I’m a smoker and would consider this as a substitute. I don’t have a regular doctor but would defer to your views on the matter.
DEAR READER: Electronic cigarettes are promoted as an alternative to inhaled tobacco products. It is a battery-powered “cigarette” that provides a vaporized propylene glycol/nicotine mixture through inhalation, providing a sensation similar to inhaled tobacco smoke, even though there is no tobacco, combustion or real smoke. [Read more...]