A bill proposing a statewide ban of electronic cigarettes in the state of Utah recently passed the Health and Human Services Committee and now moves to the House for a vote, but according to experts, statements by the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Paul Ray, demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of the science behind electronic cigarettes and of nicotine’s effects on the body.
Online PR News – 07-February-2010 – Rep. Paul Ray’s Proposal to Ban Electronic Cigarette Sales to Adults in Utah: A Deadly Mistake
A bill proposing a statewide ban of electronic cigarettes in the state of Utah recently passed the Health and Human Services Committee and now moves to the House for a vote, but according to experts, statements by the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Paul Ray, demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of the science behind electronic cigarettes and of nicotine’s effects on the body.
“Obviously you're getting rid of some of the smoke,” Ray said during the committee meeting. However, electronic cigarettes heat a liquid nicotine solution only to the point of vaporization and actually produce no smoke at all.
The legislator continued, “But the nicotine is the key ingredient that's the main killer. We still know for a fact--not maybe--we know for a fact that nicotine causes heart disease. It causes issues with the arteries. It causes hypertension.” However, researchers at the University of Alberta say this isn't true: “The effects of nicotine itself are similar to that other popular drug, caffeine ... and the research shows that the risk for cardiovascular disease is minimal. The confusion about nicotine comes from anti-smoking activists talking about nicotine and smoking as if they were the same. While it is true that people smoke mostly because of nicotine; nicotine users die mostly because of the smoke.” (tobaccoharmreduction.org)
Spike Babaian, president of the National Vapers Club, a consumer advocacy group for former smokers who have switched to electronic cigarettes, said, “If Representative Ray truly believes nicotine kills, why isn't he calling for other products containing comparable levels of nicotine--such as the gum and the lozenges-- which are much more appealing to children, to be banned as well?”
When mentioning nicotine replacement therapies which use comparable levels of nicotine to the electronic cigarette, The American Heart Association states on its website that nicotine products "contain none of the carcinogens or toxic gases found in cigarette smoke.”
"Electronic cigarettes are marketed toward adult smokers who can't or won't quit," said Babaian. "For them, it comes down to a choice between deadly tobacco cigarettes that contain about 4,000 ingredients, and electronic cigarettes, which contain about 20. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see which is the better choice. Passage of this bill takes away a life-saving choice for Utah smokers, and it leaves smokers who have already successfully switched to electronic cigarettes in an impossible situation. It's inhumane, and it certainly isn't in the interest of public health."
Writing specifically about the bill, Dr. Michael Siegel, professor at Boston University School of Public Health and an anti-smoking activist with more than 20 years of experience in tobacco control, responds: “What Utah is basically saying is: ‘We don't mind if you smoke, as long as you smoke the most deadly products available.’” Dr. Siegel also states, "I honestly never dreamed of seeing this day. An absolutely shocking turn of events in tobacco control. We are now promoting disease and death and trying to inhibit people - or to outright prevent them - from taking action to protect their health and possibly save their lives." (tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com)
“contain none of the carcinogens or toxic gases found in cigarette smoke.”
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association also strongly opposes any ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes to adults, according to its Legal Director, Yolanda Villa. (http://www.casaa.org/) However, CASAA, together with the National Vaper's Club, supports HB0088, a bill sponsored by Rep. Ronda Menlove, which would prohibit sales of electronic cigarettes to minors while allowing many responsible adults to continue using a product that prevents them from returning to smoking tobacco cigarettes.
