By Rhondor Dowlat Thursday, February 25 2010

THE ELECTRONIC cigarette or E-cigarette has reached the shores of Trinidad and Tobago, ironically at a time when the Tobacco Control Act comes into effect to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces and reduce the effects of smoking on the public.

The Act was passed in December 2009 and took effect from February 15. The prohibitions in this phase include the designation of no smoking areas and prohibition against smoking therein; prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to and by minors; prohibition against tobacco advertising; prohibition against incentive promotions; and free supply of tobacco products and prohibition against tobacco sponsorship.

The legislation also states that vendors selling single cigarettes can face a $12,000 fine and six months imprisonment.

The E-cigarette is a new product available, as many would say, “thanks” to recent technology and can be used in the public or in any business or home.

This E-cigarette is a revolutionary device that acts much the same way as an ordinary tobacco cigarette would, but rather than producing smoke from combustion, it produces vapour from vaporisation of the E-liquid.

An electronic cigarette usually takes the form of some manner of elongated tube, though many are designed to resemble the outward appearance of real smoking products, like cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. A common design is also the “pen-style”, so named for its visual resemblance to a ballpoint pen. Most electronic cigarettes are reusable devices with replaceable and refillable parts. A number of disposable electronic cigarettes have also been developed.

E-cigarettes have no fire, no tar, no carbon monoxide, no ash, no stub. It lets the smoker or the quitter of smoking tobacco, enjoy and satisfy those tactile taste sensations without any risk from smoking or tobacco.

Actually, you can smoke E-cigarettes anywhere healthily without environmental pollution. Indulging in smoking E-cigarette can help you to reduce or quit smoking habits.

A kit of two E-cigarettes, two catridges and rechargable batteries costs an estimated $500 locally.

One of its importers, who wished not to be identified described it as “a great ultimatum” to individuals who desperately want to quit tobacco smoking for various reasons including own health, health of loved ones or for just “quitting sake.”

“This E-cigarette is a device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine by way of a vaporised solution. It is an alternative to smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. In addition to nicotine delivery, this vapour also provides a flavour and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no tobacco, smoke, or combustion is actually involved in its operation,” the importer said. The importer revealed that late last year he brought several kits to sell for selected customers “just to feel out the market for it” and added that he has gotten “great response.”

He, however, added that one of his shipment was “stuck” on the TT Port of Port-of-Spain due to complications arising in having to clear the container because of the Food and Drug Act.

“Apparently what we are hearing was that the product has to be cleared under the food and Drug Act and the custom officers are presently viewing the Act, not until that is completed then we can get our goods cleared. So as soon as that is done one can easily access the product,” the importer said.

“E-cigarettes have become the world’s number one choice and so far number one in TT. Electronic cigarette products are the most comprehensive product lines in the world, which is guaranteed to always meet your own needs,” the importer added.

Local user of the product Dave Parmassar, 36, of Carapichaima said he was introduced to the E-cigarette two months ago and finds it very “satisfying” compared to other procedures he followed in a bid to quit smoking.

Parmassar has been smoking for the past 17 years at an average rate of one and a half packs of cigarettes equivalent to 30 sticks per day.

He said he made countless attempts to stop smoking but said that he successfully did it with the E-cigarette, “I was introduced to the E-cigarette about two months ago and when I started it I immediately quit tobacco smoking. It is a bit costly to start but very cost effective once you have started.

“I don’t have to worry no more about my mouth having a lingering bad odour or my wife complaining. I can smoke it in the car with the windows rolled up, in the house, almost anywhere imaginable, even around children because it is harmless to them, there is nothing like secondary smoking when you use the E-cigarette,” Parmassar said.

The products come in the most unique e-cigarette kits that one can ever find in the market. The sets come in a water resistant tin with everything an e-smoker may need: two batteries (blue LEDs), two atomizers, one USB charger with a USB to AC adapter, five empty cartridges and a bottle of E-liquid (approximately equivalent to 300 tobacco cigarettes) to fill and refill those cartridges. In some kits, there is also a velvet carrying pouch for electronic smoking on the go provided.