MAN MADE

Auckland University has the substantial study of the device and found it is as good as a nicotine inhaler at reducing smoker's cravings. The E-cigarette is said to have potential to be effective in helping smokers quit cigarettes.

Although the device has swept the globe since its release six years ago they are still banned in several countries.

The battery-powered e-cigarette looks like a cigarette and is mounted in a plastic mouthpiece. On inhalation it produces a vapour of propylene glycol solvent and nicotine - the addictive component in tobacco - but with a lower level of harmful chemicals than in tobacco smoke.

THE FINDINGS

* E-cigarette reduced cravings as much as nicotine inhalers.
* Neither cut cravings as much as a real cigarettes.
* Cigarette produced 10-fold higher level of nicotine in blood than e
cigarette.
* Contains 100 times less toxic chemicals than cigarette smoke.
 

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