Golden Dragon's Ruyan e-cigarettes deliver nicotine sans toxins

While overseas firms like Thanko and SolidAlliance are kicking out random bits of fun that surely generate a solid profit, China's Golden Dragon has probably found the real road to riches with its toy. The brilliant Ruyan e-cigarette purportedly "feels like a cigarette and looks like a cigarette, but it isn't bad for your health." The battery-powered device is used exactly like a typical, harmful cigarette, but rather than delivering tar and toxins to the lungs along with nicotine, the poisons are stripped away and doses of nicotine are still provided. Interestingly, the company claims that its product is simply the best way to kick the habit, but if these things actually do what they claim, it honestly seems like a marvelous ploy to get folks to shift their funding from tobacco-based cigarettes to the Ruyan. The gizmos are already available in China, Israel, Turkey, and a number of European countries for around $208 apiece, and while profits have "more than doubled" in just a year's time already, bringing this thing to the US would certainly provide a few early retirements.

[Via TheRawFeed]

[pari @ May 10th 2007 10:41AM]

How exactly are you kicking the habit if you are still holding a cigarette(even if it is fake) and still getting nicotine which is the addicting part of smoking?

[tzhuge @ May 10th 2007 11:05AM]

You realize that nicotine patches and nicotine gum have nicotine in them right?

[aanelson72 @ Jul 26th 2007 6:20PM]

Yes, the nicotine is addicting. But it only takes about 3 days for the nicotine to leave your system. What a lot of smokers struggle with is indeed the habit...which is a crutch (a way to cope with whatever issues they may have).

Smoking is aweful, but the addiction is psychological as much as physical. Ironically, people don't generally berate a heroine addict the way some on here berate smokers. Many of those who are still smoking are desparately looking for a solution. They've tried the other things, but can't shake the psychological NEED for a cigarette. Why don't we offer therapy for those who want to quit but need extra help? We offer it for other forms of drug abuse.

[Dirk @ Jan 16th 2008 8:19AM]

The electronic cigarette (supersmoker) is a huge success right now in the Netherlands, but it might be banned there soon, see http://supersmoker.nlhq.nl/supersmoker-english.html

[Shaun @ May 10th 2007 11:33AM]

And I thought there wasn't a way to make yourself look like an even bigger dickhead than a smoker.... Enter the Ruyan e-cigarette.

[o29 @ May 10th 2007 11:35AM]

"Replacement nicotine cartridges -- good for on average 350 puffs, or around 30 cigarettes -- cost around 12 yuan ($1.56)."

"Chinese media has called the technology unsafe, claiming one cartridge of Ruyan contains 18 mg of nicotine, compared to about 1.2 mg for a typical cigarette."

It would be nice if Engadget included information like this in the article.

[Chris @ May 10th 2007 11:36AM]

I thought nicotine was a toxin!

[o29 @ May 10th 2007 11:38AM]

And I'm not sure where the Chinese media's logic is if one cartridge truly is equal to about 30 cigarettes.

[Darwin @ May 10th 2007 12:39PM]

And for the remaining readers who don't read math...
18mg / 30 cigarettes = 0.0555...mg/cigarette

Or about 20 times less than a "typical cigarette"

In any case, I've seen one of these live. A pipe, actually. And also with the glowing end.

The main drawback I see is threefold: it looks like a toy with that stupid light on the end, the build quality is weak, and they are overpriced.

They haven't quite caught on to the basic model of charge next to nothing for the unit, then extort for the consumable.

But as a counter-argument, they could be keeping the cartridge price low because surely someone will start using this device as a drug delivery system that delivers SERIOUS drugs. How stealth would that be?! And knowing China, someone is going to make lethal 'fake' cartridges, people will start dying, and there will be a huge scandal all across world news...

[daniel.cormier @ May 10th 2007 11:43AM]

But nicotine IS a toxin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotine

"It is a potent neurotoxin with particular specificity to insects; therefore nicotine was widely used as an insecticide in the past, and currently nicotine derivatives such as imidacloprid continue to be widely used."

[greenlightbandit @ May 10th 2007 12:38PM]

But can you smoke weed with it?

[Darwin @ May 10th 2007 12:40PM]

aaaaand greenlightbandit basically beat me to it.

[Doug @ May 10th 2007 12:41PM]

I can't wait. I miss smoking. I love watching smoke. Now the life expectancy issues have been reduced. smokings back!!!

[J @ May 10th 2007 12:42PM]

Now they just need to add "vitamins and minerals" like that new Diet Coke.

[Bob DeVeayx @ May 10th 2007 12:54PM]

Isn't it the tar that causes death though? That's the reason nicotine patches are fine. Okay, you stay addicted to nicotine, but you aren't damaging yourself and other's health? Still silly imo... Why not just quit? =))

[stitifier @ May 10th 2007 3:19PM]

Insofar as the article seems to make out, the "cigarettes" don't emit any byproducts of combustion (including tar and carbon monoxide), just "vapor" to simulate smoke. In short, this appears to be a nicotine inhalation delivery device. And yes, I agree with other posters above; this would appear to qualify as a drug delivery system.

What kills smokers is not simply the tar, but rather the copious amounts of combustion byproducts inhaled with the nicotine that, in turn, damage DNA (causing cancer), initiate inflammatory reactions (causing emphysema), irritate the lining of the pulmonary tract (causing chronic bronchitis), and stain the teeth (causing smokers to have that wonderful golden-brown smile). Though nicotine is indeed a poison (watch Thank You for Smoking), the dose typically considered toxic for the average adult (it's weight dependent) is about 40-60 mg.

One of the reasons why smoking is so addictive is because smokers actually self-regulate the amount of nicotine they take in by regulating the number of puffs they take per minute. Less nicotine, more puffs-- that simple. I'm not sure that this would fulfill the same physiologic function as cigarettes, but, what the hell, it seems safer ON PAPER, anyway.

[KilgoreTrout XL @ May 10th 2007 1:36PM]

I hear it tastes like shit though.

[even worse than a normal smoke.]

[Obvious @ May 10th 2007 1:55PM]

This sounds like a great invention, and despite it basically being the most logical solution to the tobacco issue, all most people can do is complain (at least based on the comments above).

@Bob: you were never a smoker, were you?
@Doug: damn right.
@Darwin: unfortunately, same as @Doug.

Personally, I'm gonna see if I can get my hands on one of these. It sounds way too good to be true. :)

[3rdsun @ May 10th 2007 3:38PM]

This looks cool cant wait for them to hand these out to school kids

[Frangible @ May 10th 2007 3:43PM]

Yes, nicotine is a toxin, in the same way that a high dose of anything is a toxin. Aside from that, it's a useful stimulant drug with abuse potential and physical addiction. It is not carcinogenic per se-- that's mostly the tobacco, especially the nitrosamines in it which are metabolized into the potent carcinogen NNK in the human body.

The problem with the inhalation delivery system for pure nicotine is that it creates a "rush" due to the speed of the delivery to the CNS vs. slower methods (patches, gums, etc) and increases addiction and abuse. Another problem is that nicotine has a very short half-life, 30 minutes, and the inhaled form creates rushes and crashes which are not good.

They actually already have nicotine inhalant systems that do not look like cigarettes. However, one thing all of these nicotine delivery systems fail to replicate is "grabbing a smoke"-- going outside, relaxing, and possibly being social with fellow smokers. Perhaps this would do this, but you do not need to consume a drug to go outdoors, take a break, or be social.

[mhc @ May 10th 2007 3:48PM]

"18mg / 30 cigarettes = 0.0555...mg/cigarette" = weird math

[James @ May 10th 2007 4:30PM]

Here's what I'd pay to see:
1.) Clinical trials prove beyond doubt that there is no long-term harm from this product.
2.) These gain widespread acceptance, come down in price, and basically replace "real" cigs in the next, say, 10 years, eliminating tobacco-related lung cancer and emphysema.
3.) The asshats who push for smoking bans discover that the "argument" they hide behind -- second-hand smoke being dangerous to non-smokers -- evaporates.
4.) Asshats from #3 have to come right out and say that the actual reason they pushed for smoking bans all along is that smoke is just annoying to non-smokers, and *their* right to not be annoyed trumps *your* right to smoke.
5.) Same asshats get laughed out of the public arena and all the country's smoking bans get overturned, and it goes back to being a business-owner right to decide instead of a government mandate.

(Before you smoke-Nazis assume anything, I have never smoked, and will never smoke. I just hate people that get their jollies telling everybody what to do.)

[Dach @ May 11th 2007 3:13PM]

I don't see how (3) will result from (1) or (2) if the e-cigarette doesn't produce secondhand smoke. I doubt any of the "asshats" (such as myself) will care if people smoke something that doesn't produce any waste products that inundate my skin and clothing with, if not actually toxic, then still 'icky' (and sticky) byproducts. Just as I wouldn't tolerate someone throwing dirt or urinating on me, I shouldn't have to tolerate someone blowing smoke on me.
So, I also hope (1) and (2) come to pass. I would love it! As the saying goes, "Your right to swing your arms ends at my nose," and with this device, 'smokers' can swing their arms as wildly as they want, and my nose is completely unaffected. Vapor is not the same as smoke, thankfully.

[phigmeta @ May 13th 2007 9:09PM]

ya know.... i seriously doubt anyone has blown smoke in your face .... but i tell ya what ... if a nonsmoker blew his nasty breath in my face i would give him the beatdown of his life ...

And before you determine what is offesive odor to you jackass ... you might want to stop wearing that gagging odor you call perfume.

Yeah its funny how most nonsmokers smell like french whores but tell ME how smoke is offensive.

[Joel @ May 10th 2007 5:25PM]

Retarded. I'm a regular smoker looking to quit soon and the only 2 methods I've seen work with any regularity is the laser treatment and Phiser's new drug called Chantix. I'm not a big fan of nicotine replacing nicotine in order to quit ... how does that make sense again?

[Jason @ May 10th 2007 7:37PM]

Darwin: "And for the remaining readers who don't read math...
18mg / 30 cigarettes = 0.0555...mg/cigarette

Or about 20 times less than a "typical cigarette""

Dude, 18 divided by 30 isnt hard maths, and simple logic should tell you its about one half of one mg(0.55 more exactly) not one twentieth (0.055).

This is about half a typical smoke.

Simple, Simple Maths....

[Kenn @ May 10th 2007 10:31PM]

There's a cigarette on the market now made by RJ Reynolds that basically does that, w/o the heavy price tag. It's call Eclipse, and I've been smoking them for over a month now, and have a hard time going back to regular cigs. They're smooth, and don't stink up the house, and is supposedly better for you.. as much as a cigarette can be anyways.

http://www.eclipse.rjrt.com

[James @ Aug 24th 2007 10:05AM]

There are many manufacturers in China making these now. They are selling very well in Europe and Australia. I am very excited to see them in the States. The gum and patch have not worked...I need the motion of smoking. There is a place I found online that is selling e-cigarettes online; http://www.e-cig.org/sales/.

[Rusty @ May 11th 2007 12:19AM]

I've found for the most part, that cigarette smokers are rude, and bums. How many of you have noticed that when they are through with a cigarette, they simply toss the butts on the ground. Or have you noticed that they are usually deaf & blind? How many times have you seen them smoking outside a building, in sight of "no smoking here" signs, or when a PA system is blaring out "please do not smoke within bla bla feet of the entrance". If they want to smoke, I could care less, but if you want less restrictions, use a little common courtesy.

[er @ May 11th 2007 10:36AM]

I'm sorry, i'm going to go ahead and do this math in my head, but where the hell did the number 5.5e-1 or -2 even come from? 18/30=.6 not .55 and certainly not .055

[ruyanstore @ May 11th 2007 11:02PM]

I agree with obvious. The original and patented RUYAN e-cigarette can definitely help you quit smoking, through its step-by-step program. The e-cigarette comes with high, medium, low and no nicotine cartridges The composition is as follows: 6% - 0.1% nicotine (high-medium-low), 80-90% non toxic propylenglycol, less than 5% flavouring substances .

It tastes and feels like a cigarette and gives consumers the same immediate satisfaction like any normal cigarette, without the harmfull substances that cause cancer and other deseases. Basically you smoke a lot healthier using the e-cigarette. It's your choice.

You can smoke the e-cigarette in public places, it does not emit harmfull second hand smoke. To some it might look a bit odd in the beginning, as some bloggers remarked, but too me it just looks really cool and finally I don't need to brush my teeth anymore before kissing my girlfirend :p

You might want to check out these remarkable and funny ads from the No Stank You campaign: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Tobacco/media/youthcampaign.htm

if you wanna buy the original RUYAN e-cigarette (warrenty incl) and/or other related products at the guaranteed lowest price worldwide, drop me a note. [e-mail]

Thank you for smoking!

[Jahgah @ May 12th 2007 3:57AM]

It is a vaporizer. THey have been out for ever. This one is just small. And it isn't safe. Its actually bad for you but not as bad as cigarettes. But it is still burning shit and putting it in your lungs. And nicotine itslef may be carcinogenic. There is no evidence that it is or isn't. But it may be. And seriously what a waste of money. If you are gonna wreck your lungs with crap at least smoke pot and get high from it. At least then you get something out of it and you may not smoke 20 joints a day. I could never see the real point in smoking cigarettes. You get a 20 second head rush at the beginning of the day and then its over. Every one you smoke after that does nothing but give you a headache and shitty breath. I am not saying I condone drug use but if you are gonna destroy your lungs up at least get something out of it.`

[ruyanstore @ May 12th 2007 4:29AM]

The e-cigarette is not a vaporiser, vaporisers like the one from nicorette don't give you the same satisfaction as smoking an e-cigarette which has the same taste as a normal cigarette.

There is no burning process in the e-cigarette involved and it is totally safe. It has no cancerogene (what do you mean by carcinogenic?) substances.

Smoking pot... I'm sure someone will come up with a way to smoke THC through an e-cigarette ;-)

[daphe128 @ May 12th 2007 4:52AM]

I have the Ruyan e-cigarette, it wasnt even that expensive if you calculate the amount you'd spent on normal cigarettes. It really works for me considering the improvement for my health, the many smoking restrictions in restaurants and bars, it's a way to still get your fix and look cool at the same time!

[ruyanstore @ May 20th 2007 9:02AM]

The original RUYAN e-cigarette costs USD 198 only at http://ruyanstore.ecrater.com and comes with a full warranty, patent and manual. Shipped in 3 to 6 days right to your doorstep.