Cigarette makers enter the E-cig market.

Major cigarette companies are looking to remedy sagging sales by offering electronic cigarette options, also called an e-cig.

The device uses vapor and a nicotine cartridge to simulate the smoking experience but without tobacco, eliminating smoke, ashes, and smell.

Sales of the e-cig doubled from 2010 to 2011, and the Wall Street Journal projects retail sales will reach a billion dollars in 2013.

There are also financial benefits for consumers, as the e-cig habit costs on average half as much as the tobacco-filled one.

Whether or not they pose health risks is hotly debated. An FDA spokes woman recently stated that more research is needed to assess the impact e-cigarettes have on the human body in the long term.

This was one of the factors leading to the FDA’s attempt to ban the import of the product from China, a move that was ultimately blocked by a judge.The official instead ordered the FDA to regulate them as they would a traditional tobacco product.

Current rules for the sale of tobacco products include restricting underage sale and abiding by packaging and marketing regulations.