Waiting at the traffic lights this morning on my way to work, as like most mornings, there were only a few of us with some level of patience waiting for the little green man. The rest were playing frogger with the traffic. Next to me was a man in a grey business suit holding his briefcase in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He obviously was in need of some nicotine because he was taking in some very deep inhalations. On appearance of the little green man he suddenly dropped the cigarette into his coat pocket and took off across the road, at some great speed, to the train station.
With my keen sense of observation I surmised that;
a. It was a little odd I didn’t smell the cigarette smoke as I was standing right next to him. Usually I have to wrap my scarf over my nose; and
b. He is going to burn a hole in his pocket (that may have been the first thought); and finally
c. I better follow him because I’m keen to see the smoke and after effects of putting something alight into a piece of clothing!
Anyway, as I was crossing the road I had a sudden realisation.... It’s not a real cigarette.
 |
| Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42787780@N04/ |
You might be laughing at this, but I only recently came across something called ‘the electronic cigarette’. There is a shopping stall in Westfield Shepherds Bush advertising and selling these things which I personally just glanced at thinking ‘how odd’, ‘who would buy something like that’ and then didn’t think much more of it.
Seriously who the hell buys an electronic cigarette and actually uses it? You either smoke or you don’t.
Wikapedia shed a bit more light on this new craze;
An electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette), electronic vaping device[citation needed], personal vaporizer (PV), or electronic nicotine delivery system(ENDS) is an electronic inhaler meant to simulate and substitute for tobacco smoking. It generally uses a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution. Some release nicotine, while some merely release flavored vapor. They are often designed to mimic traditional smoking implements, such ascigarettes or cigars, in their use and/or appearance, although more and more devices are designed not to imitate them.[1][2]
Am I the only one that sounds a little concerned about putting a heating element in your mouth? Why would you bother sucking on something that looks like a cigarette but merely releases a flavoured vapour? Isn't that what the sheesha is for?
Yes it might cut down on the cigarette butts on the street but seriously do you really know what the hell you’re inhaling particularly as they are non-regulated items!?
While I sit here avidly awaiting the next ‘electronic’ fad item for review I’m keenly disappointed I didn’t get to see the smoke and flames result from putting a real cigarette in the pocket.
