Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, e-vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems, are battery-operated devices that people use to inhale an aerosol, which typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes are considered tobacco products because most of them contain nicotine, which comes from tobacco. Nicotine in any form is a highly addictive drug.
E-cigarettes are not an FDA-approved quit aid, and there is no conclusive scientific evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for long-term smoking cessation. It should be noted that there are seven FDA-approved quit aids that are proven safe and can be effective when used as directed.
Sources:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017, June). Electronic Cigarettes. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). E-cigarette Basics. Retrieved from https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov
Additional Information:
National Institute on Drug Abuse