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May 13, 2009 9:04 am US/Eastern
Electronic Cigarettes May Be A Safer Alternative
FDA Says They Are Not Safe
Feels More Studies Need To Be Done On The Product
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ―
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Some smokers are not 'lighting up' electronic cigarettes which have no smoke and no odor.
CBS
Recently many some smokers have found a way to smoke anywhere they want without hurting themselves or the health of others. They're called electronic cigarettes and
CBS4's Cynthia Demos took a look at how they work.
"I've probably been a smoker since my late teens," said Charles Jay.
When the Hollywood resident heard about electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, he was intrigued by the convenience.
"I could basically do it anywhere because you weren't leaving an odor behind or leaving any smoke behind," said Jay.
While the e-cigarettes look like traditional cigarettes, they emit no smoke or odor and contain no tobacco or tar. Instead pharmaceutical grade nicotine and water are used in many of the brands sold in malls and on the internet. One of those brands, the Clean Cigarette, was created by Frank Simotics.
He explained that his e-cigarette "holds a pack of nicotine flavor and water so if you smoke a pack a day this will last you all day."
The Clean Cigarette uses a microchip with a lithium battery to heat up the device and a nicotine vapor is emitted when the user inhales.
"There's an LED indicator light on the end that simulates the burning of a cigarette," explained Simotics.
Smoking Everywhere, located in Fort Lauderdale, sells a number of electronic cigarette brands and claims the advantages to it's e-cigarettes include no smoke, odor or flame, freedom to smoke anywhere and a healthier way to smoke.
Jay and Simotics said there's also a hidden benefit to smoking e-cigarettes. They both admit they are smoking less and feeling better in the process.
"I can taste now. I can smell again. I had so much energy after two weeks. I didn't realize I was dumping 3,000 chemicals in my body everyday for 12 years," according to Simotics.
"I'm probably smoking less and probably saving money," admitted Jay.
While the kits can start at $150, e-cigarettes are rechargable and replacement filters often come in packs of 5 for $10. That's equal to five packs of cigarettes for $10.
Despite the economical and potential health benefits, thoracic oncologist Rhaa Mudad with Memorial Healthcare System said he's concerned e-cigarettes promote the habit of smoking.
"I think kids should not be allowed to buy this. It should be regulated the way we regulate cigarettes," Dr. Rhaa suggested.
E-cigarette users we spoke to say they're not for everyone but are an alternative worth considering.
"It's not for kids, it's for people that are smokers already that want a healthier way to smoke or a way to cut back on their smoking," Simotics explained.
"I think it's going to become a bigger industry and I think you're going to see a lot of these out there," said Jay.
Most electronic cigarettes are made in China and are not considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration.
Health experts say the concept of an electronic cigarette does seem safer than traditional cigarettes but more scientific studies are needed.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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