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TagsBergen County considers ban of the revolutionary alternative to smoking
BY AARTI N. MAHARAJ
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
A new resolution is under consideration by the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders who plan on voting later this week to stop the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in places such as in vehicles, buildings and in county parks where children are present.
"E-cigarettes are marketed as a ‘healthier' alternative to cigarette smoking, but they carry potential health risks," said Bergen County Freeholder Vernon Walton
These revolutionary cigarettes are driven by modern microelectronic technology and are designed to look, feel and taste like a traditional cigarette. It consists of a white cylindrical tube with a brown exterior that is complemented by a red, glowing tip. Inside of the cartridges are liquid, nicotine flavor and other additives are used to enhance the smoker's e-cigarette experience.
The user inhales through a mouthpiece where air triggers an indicator that switches on a minute battery-powered heater. When exhaled, the simulated smoke that is emitted is in the form of a vapor mist that instantly evaporates into the air.
This product promises to provide its customers the feel of a non-smoker. Some of its benefits include no more ashes, tar and exposure to massive amounts of smoke.
"I just started using this and I feel like my cravings have been minimized," says Nichole Figuero.
Figuero believes that by using this cigarette her body feels slightly different and she no longer smokes as much. Although these E-cigs are quite pricey she still thinks that "it is a good idea and I am sticking to it! "
Currently this product is available in a variety of flavors such as apple, mint, banana, strawberry and chocolate, making them appealing to kids and teenagers.
"These devices are available online and in shopping malls. Since they're being sold with no legal age restriction, kids and teens could easily buy them," says Freeholder Julie O'Brien.
Recent reports from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveal that this new wave of e-cigarettes that has gripped many Americans may not be safe.
"An analysis of 18 samples of cartridges from two leading e-cigarette brands found cancer-causing substances in half the samples," states an FDA press release.
"One sample was found to contain diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical found in antifreeze. Several other samples were found to contain carcinogens, including nitrosamines."
In 2008, the World Health Organization mentioned, "we have no scientific evidence to confirm the product's safety and efficacy. Its marketers should immediately remove from their web sites and other informational materials any suggestion that WHO considers it to be a safe and effective smoking cessation aid."
Walton added, "that is why on behalf of the Freeholder Board, I am sponsoring this resolution in hopes of educating people about the possible dangers of these devices."
However, the Electronic Cigarette Association does not claim e-cigarettes are devices used to stop smoking and they have not yet declared any health risks.
As Figuero gently puffs on her electronic cigarette with a slight amount of vapor escaping from her lips she says, " this is our way of getting rid of this bad habit, I do not think it should be banned in Jersey."
Learn more at www.NoTobacco.net
Why ban an alternative to smoking, when cigarettes CLEARLY kill people? Another thing that is logical! $27.95 for 510 starter kits from FreshSmoking[.]com . A great quality product for a great price. Stop hacking away and stinking to high heaven. Electronic cigarettes are the way to go!
The best benefit, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is how I feel. As FW Johnson said, he feels much better, and so do I; because there isn't tar, or chemicals, or anything BURNING, I don't have any of the negative side effects of cigarettes, but do get my "fix" of nicotine. I breathe easier, I smell scents better, I dont smell like cigarettes, and my taste buds are growing back. I'm amazed at the difference it has made in my health and general feeling of well-being. In addition, I talked my bosses into letting me "vape" inside at work, so I am more productive and get more done, instead of taking 5 minutes of every hour for a smoke break.
Ban this product, and you will force others like me to revert to cigarettes which we all know were killing us. I'm 74 years old and feel in better health than I have in years. My doctor agrees. Do you want to send me to an earlier death? Cigarettes will do that. Electronic cigarettes will save lives.
Also, pharmaceutical companies will stand to loose profits off their quit-smoking aids since electronic cigarettes have a higher success rate of reducing or eliminating regular cigarettes. Nicotine gums and such are very profitable because people have to keep buying them again given their poor success rate. Since people can continue to vaporize regularly while they slowly reduce nicotine, that separates nicotine from the oral fixation making repeat buys minimal.
No one currently needs a prescription for nicotine right now, which should change so that people can support their local doctor's office to get a prescription.
Obviously this will also impact tobacco companies, who risk losing their monopoly on nicotine, since that is really what people want when they smoke a cigarette (they aren't doing it for the smoke).
And we all know health care needs to be better funded... we could lose that funding as fewer people find themselves being diagnosed with lung cancer and other smoking related illnesses -- chemo therapy is worth quite a bit and help our economy in many ways, a dramatic reduction could cripple our industry.
And THINK OF THE CHILDREN! All these tasty flavors are obviously marketed towards CHILDREN! Even though children probably aren't carrying around 100 dollars for an e-cig kit to buy over a regular pack of cigarettes, it certainly sounds moral to say since one must over look the millions of lives it can save.
So as you can see, there are clearly MANY reasons the FDA and states should ban these devices. We MUST get the word out about how bad these are now before they catch on.
What about this statement from Albert Ferrara of the New Jersey Health Dept.?
"They found e-cigarettes contain propylene glycol which is basically the chemical used to make the smoke in this product, We don't know how serious that could be, but, again, it is an ingredient used in antifreeze in our cars and that doesn't sound healthy to any of us."
Propylene glycol is considerably less toxic and may be labeled as 'non-toxic antifreeze'. It is used as antifreeze where ethylene glycol would be inappropriate, such as in food-processing systems or in water pipes in homes. Its the substance theaters use to produce mist and smog on stage.
This guy is from the Health Dept and doesn't know the difference between ethylene glycol used for your car or propylene glycol used in smoke machines?
Are they going to ban smoke machines? No, they are safe. So if its safe to use in theaters. Whats the problem with ecigs?
Sounds just like fear mongering to me. No reason for this ban at all. Just serving their own interests instead of the publics interest.
Thats not why they are in office.
I think adults like flavors as well (like in ice cream, cookies, etc.) Oh, and please go to your local grocery store and take a look at the liquor aisle. There are so many flavored alcoholic beverages! They are nicely being displayed right by the entrance where kids can see them! What about all those?
Let people choose what they want! Also, does anyone really believe that ecigs can be more harmful than tobacco cigarettes that kill hundreds of thousands in the US alone?
For more info please visit http://ecigarettes365.com