The negative health effects of tobacco are enough to make just about any smoker want to kick the habit. However, that’s easier said than done. Nicotine is highly addictive, and smokers often need help to finally stop smoking. Have you heard of e-cigarettes? Also known as electric cigarettes, they look and feel like a cigarette without all of the toxic chemicals.

Electric cigarettes operate using a battery built into the cigarette. You hold the e-cigarette like a regular cigarette, and you smoke it like a regular cigarette. Someone next to you may not even know it’s an e-cigarette just by looking at it, but you’ll know all the benefits that you receive when you choose this healthier smoking option.

How do you know if e-cigarettes are right for you? Ask yourself these four questions.

1. Are you trying to live healthier? E-cigarettes contain a nicotine solution, but the effects of this solution aren’t anything like the nasty chemicals used in traditional cigarettes. The nicotine solution consists of glycerin or propylene glycol. Both substances are harmless, but they do contain nicotine.
2. Do you want to approach other people without smelling like cigarette smoke? When you use e-cigarettes, there’s no tar, no yellow teeth, no bad breath, and no smoke on your clothing. The only way someone will know you use electric cigarettes is if you tell them.
3. Would you like to smoke in restaurants, stadiums, and bars where smoking is prohibited? You can do this when you use e-cigarettes. Sure, the people around you may think that you’re smoking, but they’ll soon notice that what you have is different.

Even though companies can’t promote electric cigarettes as anti-smoking aides, thousands of smokers have seen results. Gradually reduce the nicotine you choose in e-cigarettes, from regular to light then ultra-light and finally nicotine-free, to reduce your dependency on nicotine.