If you’ve given yourself the task of quitting smoking this year then you stand to gain a whole lot of cash but you will, of course, lose that nicotine hit. For many, that’s the point – getting rid of an addiction, but there’s scientific evidence that shows nicotine does have benefits.

The problem for nicotine is it’s guilty by association with tar and tobacco, which is why nicotine patches, sprays and sticks are so popular, but they don’t give you the satisfaction of smoking a cigarette.

Now – that’s all changed with the wide spread success of non tobacco and non tar cigarettes also known as electronic cigarettes. They look, feel and work like a traditional cigarette but contain non of the health risks, last longer and cost less, essentially they’re the future of smoking.

Smoaks electronic cigarettes

There’s already a number of major players in the market including VIP, E-Lites and Smoaks all of whom offer a the same variety as traditional cigarette brands. Regular, Light and Menthol are all options from Smoaks and E-Lites carry a range of e-gars, e-pipes are also an option from some companies. The benefits are obvious:

- You can smoke inside any building, it’s vapour not smoke

- No smell on your clothes or in your house

- No tar or tobacco to clog up your lungs

- No bad breath or stained teeth

- 300 puffs per cigarette, compared to 40

- Cheaper and longer lasting

The electronic cigarette market is growing and heading to a corner shop near you, while the internet is the main purchase point for most e cigarettes, some brands are already available in newsagents and shops. A typical starter pack comes with a USB charger, two batteries and two cartomizers. The batteries are shaped like the white section of a traditional cigarette and the cartomizer (containing the nicotice liquid and atomizer) is the orange area. To activate it you can either switch on or simply draw on the end to release a water-based nicotine vapour.

So, there it is – if you’re trying to quit then electronic cigarettes may just help you do it and if you want to keep smoking but reduce the health risks, they could be right to you. In addition, if you just want to save money then you might want to check them out.