Debate: Are electronic cigarettes a safe alternative to the traditional cigarette?

Directions: Read the article below. Based on the evidence provided,choose a side of the argument/debate.

“Electronic Cigarettes: A Safe Alternative or a Dangerous Choice?”by Kimberly Crouch

In today’s society, it is not at all strange to see people smoking electroniccigarettes rather than the traditional cigarette. With all of the graphic ads ontelevision, the warning labels, and the dangerous effects on one’s health fromsmoking, many people have turned to a safer alternative, the e-cigarette. However,there is a question that looms: are the electronic cigarettes any safer than thetraditional cigarette?

YES! E-cigarettes are helping smokers quit, and they are satisfying the more than

one billion addicted to nicotine with “vape” instead of smoke. The key selling point ofthese electronic cigarettes is that people are not being exposed to the chemicalsfound in the tobacco smoke or regular cigarettes, creating a healthier lifestyle thatdoes not include lung diseases or other health-related issues that are caused bytabacco.

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco kills almost 6 million peopleeach year, and now there is a growing number of people who are transferring overto “vaping”. People find e-cigarettes a much safer alternative who are trying to kickthe habit, and health officials in Britain have endorsed e-cigarettes, stating they are95% safer than tobacco, and they are a game-changer.

Next, according to PHE’s Professor Kevin Fenton, “E-cigarettes are notcompletely risk-free but when compared to smoking, evidence shows they carryjust a fraction of the harm.” While e-cigarettes do contain nocotine, an addictivedrug, it is not the nicotine that causes the health problems from regular cigarettes.It is the other hundreds of chemicals that are in cigarettes that cause the health-related issues.

Besides all the health risks, e-cigarettes are much safer than traditionalcigarettes. According to Ever Smoke, “cigarettes are the number one cause of fire-related deaths. Since regular cigarettes require a flame, this can lead to more burnsand fires.” E-cigarettes require no match or flame.

In the end, e-cigarettes are helping people quit smoking. Because more peopleare using e-cigarettes, it is quickly reducing the number of smokers worldwide.Reducing the number of smokers is creating a healthier world. All in all, e-cigarettesare a much healthier choice than regular cigarettes.

English, Oh My! ~2018

Debate: Are electronic cigarettes a safe alternative to the traditional cigarette?

NO!Electronic cigarettes have become very popular among younger crowds;

however, studies are finding that these e-cigarettes contain carcinogens,sometimes at higher levels than those found in traditional cigarettes. This, ofcourse, is raising concerns. What is even more concerning is that e-cigarettes aregrowing amongst the younger kids.

According to research, the average concentration of formaldehyde is higher inthe e-cigarettes at 100 micrograms, while the conventional cigarette is in the vicinityof 76 micrograms. In addition, other chemicals were also detected, like glyoxal andacrolein. These two chemical are known to inflame bronchial tubes, reducing lungfunction.

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology examinedthe health impacts of e-cigarettes. They concluded that the concentrations offormaldehyde, glyoxal, and acrolein contained in e-cigarettes may pose a healthhazard.

In addition, though the e-cigarette poses as a healthier alternative, Jean-Francois Etter, a professor of Pubic Health at the University of Geneva, says thatuse among young people should be monitored. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, “Forteens and young adults, e-cigarette could be the gateway drug toward smokingregular cigarettes”. Teens are also starting to start smoking at an earlier age sincethere is a “safer” alternative.

A small number of these participants who had expressed zero interest insmoking cigarettes (16, to be exact) had previously used electronic cigarettes. Thescientists then followed up with the participants a year later, to see whether theyhad progressed toward smoking traditional, combustible cigarettes.

The researchers found that 11 out of 16 of the e-cigarette users, or nearly 69%,had progressed toward smoking. Five had changed their answers from "definitelyno," and six had smoked traditional cigarettes--despite their previous lack ofinterest.

Among the 678 participants who had not previously smoked e-cigarettes, 128(or just under 19%) had progressed toward smoking--63 no longer said "definitely no"to future cigarette smoking, and 65 had ended up smoking (Kiyohiko).

"These results raise concerns that the many adolescents and young adultswho initiate nicotine use through e-cigarettes are at substantially increased risk forlater use of cigarettes, even if they do not intend to smoke cigarettes in thefuture," the study authors wrote.

Citations from the two pieces:Yoneyama, Kiyohiko. "E-Cigarette Vapor Carcinogenic, Study Shows." Japan News. 20 Jun. 2015: n.p. SIRSIssues Researcher. Web. 21 May 2016.

Senthilingam, Meera. "E-Cigarettes: Helping Smokers Quit, or Fueling a New Addiction?." CNN Wire Service.16 Mar. 2015: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 21 May 2016. English, Oh My! ~2018

T-Char t Template-3/1

Debate QuestionAre electronic cigarettes a safe alternative to the

traditional cigarette?

Thesis Statement (Answer the Question)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________YES! E-cigarettes are a safe

alternative.

NO! Electronic cigarettes are not

any safer than regular cigarettes.

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Writing Your Argument

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