A safer alternative?
April 9, 2008 4:38 PM   Subscribe

"Gamucci is a rechargeable electronic cigarette. It is a completely non-flammable product that uses state of the art sophisticated micro-electronic technology to provide users a real smoking experience without the tobacco and tar found in real cigarettes. It looks like, feels like and tastes like a real cigarette, yet it isn't. It is so much more. It is truly a healthier and satisfying alternative. Join the Revolution today!"

Sorry, explain again how this weans the smoker off their crippling addiction to nicotine? Oh right, it probably doesn't.
posted by auralcoral (25 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: You have formatted your post as a zingy gotcha attack on the thing you're posting about. Not a great idea. -- cortex



 
Make that, "definitely doesn't."
posted by retronic at 4:40 PM on April 9, 2008


It's like Pepsi Blue, but with an agenda!
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:43 PM on April 9, 2008


It's sure a good thing you refrained from editorializing in your post, because otherwise it would feel even more like a marketing ploy.

Oh, wait.
posted by dersins at 4:45 PM on April 9, 2008


Why would you want to be weaned off of nicotine? Nicotine is awesome.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:46 PM on April 9, 2008


The same way posting this weaned you off your crippling addiction to smug superiority?

You're forgetting that nicotine itself isn't the problem. The problem is all the other crap delivered along with it which, on a cursory look, this thing doesn't have.
posted by Pinback at 4:46 PM on April 9, 2008


I mean seriously. This is a nicotine aerosol. That's awesome.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:48 PM on April 9, 2008


liquorice, noted.

everyone else, i agree i should have been more neutral in my post and save the opinion for comments. my b.
posted by auralcoral at 4:51 PM on April 9, 2008


Apparently they offer a 0mg nicotine version for those who just want the tactile experience:

"...are available in 4 strengths: High (16mg nicotine), Medium (11mg), Low (6mg) and Non (0mg)."

I guess the Non version could in fact be utilized as a cessation device by those who just crave something to fiddle with more than anything else.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 4:51 PM on April 9, 2008


That said... I wonder what exactly the "Non" version emits if the others basically vaporize nicotine and nothing else.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 4:55 PM on April 9, 2008


"Healthier Smoking."

I can just see a green smoking movement. "Recycled paper, organic tobacco*, zero emissions due to metal filters!"

(* FFS, the Goggles reveal that there is such a thing)
posted by spiderskull at 4:56 PM on April 9, 2008


I'm just picturing a future me: "Hey, man, can I bum a cartridge?"
posted by resurrexit at 4:58 PM on April 9, 2008 [2 favorites]



That said... I wonder what exactly the "Non" version emits if the others basically vaporize nicotine and nothing else.


It's in the fine print:

Strengths of High (16mg nicotine), Medium (11mg), Low (6mg) and Non (0mg) will instead deliver the following: High (0mg), Medium (6mg), Low (11mg) and High (16mg heroin.)
posted by davejay at 4:58 PM on April 9, 2008


Ah, found it:

"The vapour like smoke that is released from the Gamucci is simply condensation that evaporates into the air within seconds, not unlike the functioning of a humidifier".

I guess it's vaporized water.

I wonder if they're gonna release a menthol version.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 4:59 PM on April 9, 2008


Does this mean I can smoke on Greyhound or a plane?

Because if you're not a smoker, you have no idea how terrible it is to suffer through 4 hours of stinky, cramped bus or hours and hours of checking in, waiting, flying, landing and then trying to find the "smoking area" in some godforsaken corner of the bus station or airport.

Yeah, yeah, I should quit. You should develop a taste for crack or heroin and then try to quit. I hear they're less addictive and somewhat safer.
posted by loquacious at 4:59 PM on April 9, 2008


I miss smoking. I'd do this, probably.
posted by Espoo2 at 5:09 PM on April 9, 2008


The nanny brigade will find some pretext to ban it.
posted by RavinDave at 5:13 PM on April 9, 2008


That's a certainty if any pot-related uses can be found.
posted by Artw at 5:14 PM on April 9, 2008


It is a completely non-flammable product that uses state of the art sophisticated micro-electronic technology

SCIENCE!

Now, where's my jetpack?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:14 PM on April 9, 2008


So, like sock-hops, door beads, and disco, Premier cigarettes become hip again after two decades?
posted by suckerpunch at 5:15 PM on April 9, 2008


This will be a great alternative for kids who have become convinced that smoking is "cool" or "sexy". Instead of getting hooked, they can take a drag on their non-addictive, eco-friendly electric cigarette!
posted by Picklegnome at 5:16 PM on April 9, 2008


I think this is a pretty cool idea. I've quit and started back up several times and it was always the ritual of the cigarette that I missed more than the nicotine. I'm tempted to buy one to keep around for parties and social events where I really do miss smoking. Used with the non-nicotine cartridge I could see this really helping me to stay quit and at the very least reduce some of the health risks I'm facing. It's got to be better than continuing to suck this damn smoke into my lungs every day.

(How long before improvised weed-cartridges start popping up?)
posted by LeeJay at 5:16 PM on April 9, 2008


Because if you're not a smoker, you have no idea how terrible it is to suffer through 4 hours of stinky, cramped bus or hours and hours of checking in, waiting, flying, landing and then trying to find the "smoking area" in some godforsaken corner of the bus station or airport.

The 4mg nicotine lozenges are your friend. Your only friend in this situation.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:20 PM on April 9, 2008 [1 favorite]


To re-iterate the point above from a scientific perspective, nicotine is probably the least harmful substance you're inhaling when you smoke: acetone, cyanide, carbon monoxide, tar, some 200 carcinogens. That's what kills you. That plus the fact it is harder to uit nicotine than coke, heroin etc. But if this could get people of cigarettes it'd be a great step forward
posted by slapshot57 at 5:22 PM on April 9, 2008


How long before improvised weed-cartridges start popping up?

Weed might be tricky. Nicotine works because it's soluble in water. THC isn't. You can dissolve it in alcohol, but my guess is that inhaling aerosolized alcohol would hurt like hell.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:22 PM on April 9, 2008


It's about time. They still need to make it look more like a cigarette and less like sucking on a pen, though.
posted by Gary at 5:33 PM on April 9, 2008


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