I'm not a smoker, and second-hand smoking is a b*tch; but the Scottsdale, Arizona-based company Crown7 hopes to reduce the annoyance of smoke, odors, and harm to the environment by introducing—wait for it—Battery-Operated Smoking Devices.

These devices are art deco-styled tubes which contain a cartridge and rechargeable lithium battery. The cartridge is said to contain water, propylene glycol, nicotine, and a "tobacco flavor" that "emits a harmless vapor that simulates smoke yet satisfies the nicotine urges and cravings." Hmm, they're healthier cigarettes? There are three models: The Cigar Style Starter Kit ($64.95), Cigarette Style Starter Kit ($99.95), and Cigarette Pipe Style Starter Kit ($149.95). I'm not sure as to how you actually ignite these tubes, and the YouTube video doesn't go into any further details either.

So how much of this nicotine and tobacco flavor are you smoking in just one cartridge? It's equal to about two packs of cigarettes. They're meant to allow smokers to smoke virtually anywhere, from restaurants and casinos to the workplace and bars, since the non-flammable device doesn't emit any harmful vapors. Each unit comes with a battery charger, two lithium batteries, two replacement filters, pocket holder, handsome case, and instructions. Now for the real question: Can you adjust the amount of nicotine you're inhaling? Not while you're smoking, but if you purchase additional cartridges, you can select zero, low, medium, or high nicotine strengths. A 5-pack of replacement cartridges sells for $10.

[via Sci Fi Tech]