From a health perspective, is an electronic cigarette better than traditional ones?

yes: Tobacco control [1] analyzed vapors from a dozen brands and also found some toxic substances, but at levels 9 to 450 times lower than in regular cigarette smoke, implying that vaping may be safer than smoking. Still, the impact of e-cigs on long-term health needs further study.

Yes: E cigarettes don't produce tar or carbon monoxide. E- cigarettes may contain nicotine, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals (like lead, tin & nickel), ultrafine particles (which may be drawn deep into lungs, diacetyl & Nicotine which is addictive. REF: https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/