There is a low nitrosamine smokeless product from scandinavia, (I wont mention its name), but it works quite well with all tests conducted so far showing no increased cancer risk. Major studies would be needed of course.

Its illegal to import to the EU because big tobacco has a powerful lobby apparatus and they don't need the competition but i'm sure if it was on the market a lot of europeans would not be dying of smoking related cardio vascular disease. OP can send pm if he needs details.

__________________
Mass Immigration - Not in my name
Liberal elites across the EU have taken Bertoldt Brechts advice and declared that the people have forfeited the confidence of the government, therefore the liberal elites have decided to dissolve the people and import another.

And cigarettes aren't a waste of money? Hmmmm.

Anway, the batteries are re-chargebale and are said to last up to a month. They cost a few € to replace and you get a re-charger unit with your starter pack (as well as 2 batteries). And 200 pulls is about a pack of fags so even if you are right (I think it may be more, but whatever) one battery could = a month's supply of fags assuming you re-charge it. Not bad and hardly the waste you suggest.

I tried the nicotine inhaler. The problem is that all it does is deliver nicotine, it does not replicate the sensation of smoking (except the fact it is vaguely cigarette shaped and you hold it like one). As a hardcore addict, I gave up on it after a few days. With the e-cig, you actually get the vapour into your throat and lungs as well as the nicotine hit, so it is much more an all-round smoking experience. I would actually call it an "alternative smoking experience" rather than a "replacement cigarette", but so far it is doing the trick for me. Those in the know prefer to call it "vapourising" to make it seem an entirely different thing to smoking. I think they kinda have a point - it is similar but somewhat different.

Michael, one of the key points the e-cig lobby make is this: the nicotine is not the problem in a traditional cigarette - it is the carcinogens in the burning tobacco that is. So the fact e-cigs have nicotine delivery systems isn't really the point. And besides, the vapour is not primarily a nicotine vapour - the main component of the vapour is Propylene Glycol, as I mentioned in OP.

The fact of the matter is I have absolutely no argument to refute this and in the back of my mind I somewhat agree. It is not impossible that in 5 years there will be a sudden emergence of problems associated with long-term use of these things. That is certainly possible.

But I can say this: these machines have been used now by many, many thousands of people for several years, and I have yet to find one single report of a serious side-effect. As you say, that could all be waiting down the line, but as of the first few years of these things' use, there don't yet appear to be issues.

But as I said in OP, I am not a schill for these things, I've only been using one for a week and ultimately I don't know if they are safe or not. Each person must decide on the cost/benefit to themselves.

Don't come crying to us when you grow a third arm.