James’s blog post has highlighted the idea of companies making the switch from producing cigarettes to producing e-cigarettes (e-cigs). He highlights that e-cigs are healthier than regular cigarettes, which could benefit the producers and the consumers. However, the cost to completely overhaul its production lines and rethinking its strategy is one that is too costly and risky. On the other hand, I struggle to see how cigarette companies benefit from making the switch, unless there is no demand for regular cigarettes, and a huge market for e-cigs.

I do agree with his list of the benefits and will expand on that. According to a study recently done by Carl Phillips, an epidemiologist and former professor at the University of Alberta, e-cigs are “99% less harmful than smoking”. Not only have e-cigs helped people quit smoking, it is also a cheaper alternative, as the e-cig kits range in price from $30 to as much as $100. A 30-millilitre bottle of e-liquid, which might last a pack-a-day smoker a month, can cost around $15 to $20.

I believe that the e-cigarette industry will eventually surpass regular cigarettes while simultaneously becoming a self-financing public-health revolution that could make billions of dollars.

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/11/16/how-e-cigarettes-have-become-a-very-wild-west-industry-in-canada/