With the EU setting member states tight energy efficiency and green targets by the year 2020, the Government and the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) have been promoting ways in which all citizens can reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. These have ranged from promoting the much maligned Green Deal to promoting cycling to work schemes.
As we search for endless ways in which to lessen the negative environmental affect that we impart upon the planet. One simple switch that people are making in droves that could benefit the planet is by stubbing out cigarettes and using electronic cigarettes in their stead.
One of the less covered by-products of traditional cigarette smoking is the huge levels of waste and litter that it causes. In the UK alone, an amazing 200 million cigarette butts are dropped on the floor every day. This equates to nearly four littered butts per person. These cigarette butts can clog up and contaminate waterways or be consumed by animals. Worryingly, the average cigarette butt takes up to 26 years to decompose.
Alternatively, electronic cigarette brands such as Totally Wicked supply devices that are refillable and reusable. This means that a 5 minute smoking break isn’t marked by another bit of trash being thrown on the floor, but an electronic device being popped back into its carry case for use later.
The added longevity reduces the amount of units that need to be sold daily to citizens. A 20-a-day smoker may routinely buy a new pack every day – leading to greater waste and environmental impact caused by the increased production. Compare this to the flagship Totally Wicked Odyssey which offers a 5 year guarantee – meaning that buyers won’t have to fork out for another device for half a decade. In this period, a 20-a-day cigarette smoker may invest in and throw away 1,825 packs of smokes.
In 2010, cigarette butts accounted for 38% of the World’s litter, demonstrating just the start of the huge impact that electronic cigarettes have on the environment. Up to 600 million trees are cutdown every year to use in cigarette products. The machinery used for this process creates significant and damaging carbon emissions.
One of the World’s first electronic cigarette brands, TECC, has produced literature detailing how environmentally friendly their products are in relation to traditional cigarettes. An infographic developed by the brand demonstrates how a significant amount of an electronic cigarette is recyclable. Like many environmentally-friendly products, this green approach renders a monetary saving as well as a planetary one.
Models such as the eMode by Joyetech also grant the user to closely monitor how much they are using the product. This allows the user a greater conscientious control over their habits, practices and effects.
Electronic Cigarettes are mainly a device which can be recycle easily. Actually it contains starter kit and charger which is also recycle. So, it helps to green management rather than traditional cigarettes which is not particularly recycle.
Ever since the public became aware about the dangers of smoking a few decades ago, many people have found quitting the tobacco habit hard. Companies have been innovating and manufacturing smoking cessation products for many years now. From nicotine patches to gum, nicotine addicts have been using them to quit their habit. Electronic Cigarette are the newest product on the market that should be given a chance to prove to the public that it’s less harmful.
Nicotine continues to be harmful to human health. In my view, this article belongs under “humor,” and is dark, at that.
How about the electronic waste from those devices, and its environmental impact? I agree it’s better not to have cigarette butts leaking chemicals everywhere, but if we’re just offloading the environmental costs to China (for rare earths mining and electronics making), we’re not better off. We might actually be better off with cigarettes you make/roll yourself with just tobacco and none of all the stuff cigarette makers put in. I don’t know, just thinking out loud, but your article should talk about that. And of course mention that stopping smoking is the best solution.