Kevin Marshall's America
It's like a cigarette...but ELECTRONIC!
You may have seen the commercials that encourage you to replace your dirty, filthy cigarette habit with a healthier option: the e-cigarette.
The idea is that you can continue feeding your addiction to nicotine without the harmful side effects of actually smoking tobacco. The devices, which are often designed to look like real cigarettes, are battery-powered and provide a vaporized solution that imitates the sensation of smoking.
It’s starting to run into trouble, however, with advocates who say that it not only encourages people to keep smoking but also hooks kids at a younger age. A proposed bill would ban e-cigarettes in New York State.
Me, I’d need a lot more information about the product and its effects before I make a judgement on them. It might help to find out what’s actually in the damn things, though its manufacturers haven’t exactly been forthcoming on that matter.
I will say, though, that they should be banned in Crossgates Mall.
One of the Mall’s kiosks peddles e-cigarettes, and is manned by two guys who look like Eastern European hitmen blowing smoke everywhere as they stalk around the kiosk. They look like joyless thugs. I suppose this should make me want to buy them?
Well, it doesn’t. It looks awful and they make me feel uncomfortable and I want them gone.
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42 Responses to Thugs at the Mall Smoking Their E-Cigarettes
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STALK ME
Hahaha, your description of the mall kiosks is hilarious and spot on.
I read that the chemicals that are inhaled in these are not identified and could be more harmful than the tobacco biproducts. I don’t know if this is the usual media creating paranoia or whether they have not been fully researched. But I will say that from an analytical chemistry perspective, figuring out what these chemicals are and identifying potential effects on the human body should be a trivial exercise.
This is one of those products that I scratch my head and say, “why?”
O PUH-LEEZ.. As long as they arent being sold to minors i dont care. How does it affect me ?? it doesnt.. Why dont we let adults make their own decisions.. If they want to kill themselves ingesting toxic vapor so be it.. its better than them blowing cig smoke in someones face. I do have an issue with them being sold at the mall where the target is primarily teenagers.. There should be some regulation.
Those commercials fall on my list of top 5 most annoying. I’ve heard of people using these to help them stop smoking, but really if someone was puffing on one of those near me, I’d probably want to break it in half. Mostly because, they’re weird, annoying, and you look like a tool with one.
:0)
Happy Thursday!
My wife tried one of these….she was using it in a local eatery, and one couple was getting all squirmy…I thought the woman was trying to talk her man into coming over and saying something…..I was ready for a throw down. The waitress handled it(we knew her)….so I guess they are better for the smoker….unless you end up getting punched in the face by a rabid anti-smoker…..
the only thing worse than a former smoker….a former fat person.
Some guy lit one of these up in a Starbucks the other night and I was confused. Felt like I was back in the 90’s. Then he put it out, I guess/turned it off? I agree with DerryX. Why?
okay–I’m confused: you can “smoke” these ridiculous things in places where “cigerette smoking” is banned? Their “smoke” doesn’t smell like cigarette smoke? Why would I want someone doing that next to me in a restaurant?
Kevin–also confused: is it the thugs you are actually objecting to?
What? Since when are they allowed indoors at public places. I think that is a bit much. I understand why people would buy them, but for me they dont really work and are waste of money. I would NEVER think it is ok to use them inside of a mall or resturant, even though there is no smoke,it still is a form of “smoking”. Personally I think they are over priced and dont work.
Should be by perscription only to cease smoking, like a patch.
Get so many refills or whatever then that’s it…
Why should you be able to give yourself doses of pure nicotine?
Michelle, if effects us in the costs of health care for these “smokers”.
Quote:
”
We need to be clear that nicotine is not harmless. It is harmful to the unborn child of a pregnant smoker, and when used over a period of decades it affects the cardiovascular system, and may increase risks of a fatal heart attack. But nicotine on its own is not nearly as harmful as smoking…and likely avoids over 95% of the harms from smoking. So when you try a nicotine replacement product for smoking cessation, think of using for as long as it takes for you to be confident that you will not go back to cigarettes.”
Seriously??? I would be more worried about the spelling errors in this news article than I would be about a harmless non-smelling electric cigarette! What happened, forget how to use spellcheck?
Jamie – Oh no, a couple typos! I’ll never tire of the barely literate (note: this is a blog, not a “news article”) championing themselves on pointing out minor typographical errors. I bow before your perceived supremacy.
jakester – You actually don’t need a prescription for the nicotine patch. However, your other points stand as a major concern. This product only continues, rather than ceding, the addiction to nicotine.
I’m much more frightened by the dead sea salt people at the mall then the smokeless cigarette people. They are more aggressive in trying to convince me why I need their product from my experience.
John – YES. And they don’t approach so much as dart out at you.
Very true John, many of the vendors are way too pushy for my taste.
On another note, the e- cigarettes may not give off actual smoke like real one, but when you exhale there is a mist or whatever you wanna call it that comes out.
I thought this article was a joke at first. Like something the Onion would write.
Are you kidding me? The “smoke” from an e-cig isn’t smoke at all. It’s water vapor. It’s dosen’t smell. It dosen’t contain harmful chemicals. It’s no more harmful than the vapor people breathe out on a cold day.
The e-cigs contain the same thing that the stop smoking inhalers contain: glycerin and nicotine. Should we ban the nicotine inhalers? Don’t the patches just feed the nicotine addiction, too? Should we ban them as well?
Anybody smoking an e-cig is infinitely better off than smoking a cigarette. I think Big Pharma wants these things banned to reduce the competition for their stop smoking products.
Sheesh. Don’t you people have anything better to worry about than “menacing thugs” at the mall selling e-cigs? It’s laughable. I honestly thought the author of this piece was joking.
I have a ez cig….and I have to say I have not had a cigarette in 2 weeks. You do need to be careful with them as you do with the patch or other aids to help quit smoking. My opinion on the state ban is that they are only want to do this because 1-they want to collect more tax on us, and 2-they are loosen money from those of us that are trying to quit. New York state is ridiculous, if I could move I would, to think that I have to pay 11.00 for a pack of smokes is ridiculous. I do bot use ez cig in restaurants it malls ect… I don’t have the urge to do so, I can wait until I leave to do so.
I read all these negative comments, all pure speculation. Nobody bothers to educate themselves before forming an opinion? YET – nobody suggests we make cigarettes, you know the real killer of hundreds of thousands of REAL people every year, illegal? Why not outlaw the real killer, not the nicotine alternative. What do you have against nicotine, and why do you want to forbid people like me from having access to it? Nicotine is no worse for you than caffeine, do you want me to start pushing to ban coffee shops, coffee, soda machines & soda? Of course, you’d think that is stupid wouldn’t you? Yet the health effects of nicotine are negligible when not being introduced into your body via burning tobacco (and the over 4000 toxic chemicals it releases)! Smarten up people, they may be trying to take away my rights today to use nicotine but rest assured it will be your rights tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First they came for my Four Loko, and I said nothing. Then they came for my e-cigarettes, and I said nothing….
I second John’s motion that the Dead Sea people are worse. Perhaps the worst people ever. I was pleased to not have to be the first to make this comment.
Oh, I forgot to add – WE DO KNOW what is in liquid nicotine which is them vaporized by an ecig. Liquid Nicotine is suspended in either/or propylene glycol (an organic compound. It is a colorless, nearly odorless, clear, viscous liquid with a faintly sweet taste – also it is the substance asthma medication is suspended in within an inhaler. FDA Approved in US liquids) or vegetable glycerin (food grade FDA approved!)and US FDA approved food grade FLAVORING. Of all these ingredients are 1000’s upon 1000’s of times safer than cigarette smoke!
Vicki,
There are not 4000 toxic chemicals being released from the combustion of tobacco. There are maybe 4000 chemicals being released from the combustion, but not 4000 TOXIC chemicals.
About 10% of those ~400 are toxic
and about 70 or so are carcinogenic.
But I agree that the cigarettes are probably worse than the e-cigs, but you do have your facts wrong.
Laugh now…. and wait until its something that will directly impact your life or health. I am finally free of tobacco, but I am still using nicotine and weaning myself off, thanks to this product. My sister chewed nicotine gum for four years before finally being free. Why is this different? It shouldn’t be. God forbid I’m not paying all that money in taxes to the government or paying Big pharmaceutical Companies for their ineffective products, that’s what all this is really about. Do it big brothers way or die a smoker?
Vicki - Or you could do what I did and use the patch and solid game plan to get off a two-pack-a-day habit and stay smoke and nicotine-free for two and a half years and counting.
Worth noting that this blog post was written as tongue in cheek. But your argument that it’s either e-cigs or death is a complete fallacy.
I do not think they should ban them. I do feel though selling them in a mall is not appropriate. Do they sell liquor in the mall in same manner? I dont believe they should be allowed in public places either. And I can say that because I AM A SMOKER. With that said…As adults, smokers know what they are putting in their body and what their doing. Just dont care and sometimes dont get why others care so much if I wanna waste 9.00 on my little habit. I dont knock others for their “drinks” or “coctails”.. Kevin I think this was a great article, and I look forward to more from you :)
E-cigs are meant to be a better alternative to smoking. The reason that the patch, gum or medication pills aren’t as effective as they are meant to be, is you lose the ‘hand to mouth’ motion that smokers are after. Look at gum for example, nicotine gums have around a 7% success rating. The problem with gum again, is not as satisfying as a cigarette to most people, which is why they go back to cigarettes. You have to basically put forth an effort if your willing to quit with whatever method it may be. So, good for you for being one of the lucky ones to successfully quit cigarettes/nicotine with the gum.
Today Is One Year Cigarette Free- All due to ecigs. What misinformation in this article. Educate yourselves People, don’t be sheep. My doctor applaudes the use of ecigs, why? Because they are pretty harmless. Here if you really want to educate yourselves read this article http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/centers-institutes/population-development/files/article.jphp.pdf Yes Harvard. It is a shame that Kevin marshall did not read it. You dont like the way it looks? Please, Get Real. These devices SAVE LIVES!! I dont like watching a diabetic shoot up either but I understand why they do it.
Such a joke some of you are. Intelligent adults reasearch and draw their own conclusions. You should try it Mr. Marshall.
I agree e cigs should be restricted in their sales to over 18s only.
However e cigs were the only thing that got me off cigarettes after trying and failing time and again using every other product on the market. i can safely say that e cigs in all probability have saved my life im now 6 months smoke free and feel so much healthier. i pray these things arnt banned from sale cos i know i will end up smoking again if they take this away from me.
PLEASE look at the medical studys before you all make up your minds
You mentioned that you would “need a lot more information about the product and its effects before I make a judgement on them”
Come by http://www.vapersforum.com/index.php and receive that information.
We do a lot of tongue in cheek there also by the way.
Glad the gum and game plan worked for you but would you deprive other adults a product and plan of their choice that works for them after trying all others that simply did not work?
Lastly you said “they make me feel uncomfortable and I want them gone.”
I feel they same way about all those who want to outright ban these life saving devices, but I’m not holding my breath.
Happy belated anniversary of existing.
Cheers
I am really getting sick of the state banning things because they can’t prove they are safe.
as for these ecigs the smoke is glycol, basically stage smoke, you can have them nicotine free or any flavor you can think up with some models.
they also have the advantage that you can have one puff and stop without waisting anything.
but I am sure one of the main reasons the state hates them is that you can buy a reusable one for the cost of, a pack a day smoker, cigs for a week. cause that is how much the state has upped the sin tax
To the original author: If you strongly dislike the presence of the men selling the e-cigarette, I recommend you complain to mall management. Additionally, please read the study linked in post #25.
To those saying that e-cigarettes are bad because they allow people to continue their nicotine addiction: There are millions of smokers in the United States who will never quit smoking, or at least won’t stop before they’ve already set themselves up for an early death. While it is addictive, nicotine does not kill smokers. Inhaling smoke with 60+ carcinogens kills people. I am an e-cigarette user, and if it wasn’t for this device, I’d still be smoking.
“two guys who look like Eastern European hitmen blowing smoke everywhere as they stalk around”
Hey, I think these guys came out to fix my washing machine. Come to think of it, I don’t really understand how they work either…technology scares me. Let’s ban washing machines!
alright before you all Freak out E cigs do not have over 4000 poisons in them they do not have carpet glue or rat poison i could go on and on E cigs you E juice thats it made either from PG or VG ? you might ask me whats that ? PG stands for propylene glycol USP grad and the FDA is saying its antifreeze WOW THATS BAD BUT wait ITS NOT PG USP grad is FDA a proved for sudafed a lot more its pretty much in every pill you take its in Styrofoam Cups its sops wow it must be bad for us if its in everything. Ethylene glycol is antifreeze tho and iv never hear of any E cigs Using it in there Juice. ok now for VG…. VG is vegetable glycerin and will its in A lot of Foods its in chocolate Milk its and a lot of stuff and yes E juice is USP grad and that means its FDA A PROVED…. ok so e juice is made up of 10 water PG or VG and flavoring? so one thing i will say its Much safer then CIGS i think i might know cause i vape alot now and if i was to smoke that much i would feel it the Next day like i used too…. have you every been around somebody with a e cig ? does it smell bad ? if anything it smells good my taste has come back to me i breath better and i feel better i used to be a 2 pack smoker and now i havent touched a cigarette in 2 and half weeks and i cant stand the smell of cigs now so if anybody reads this who smokes Look in to them they helped me a lot i feel so much better.. BTW my GF hates cigs and she doesnt mind me vaping by her at all cause there is no second hand smoke there is Little to no smell with e cigs and she doesnt taste crap when she gives me a kiss
People keep saying “it’s a mystery” when talking about what’s inside an electronic cigarette. Before I made the switch from smoking to vaping, it only took me about an hour to find this information. It amazes me that people claim to “research” these products – but continue to spew misinformation about them…let me help you out – nicotine, propylene glycol (FDA approved) or vegetable glycerin (FDA approved) & flavorings. Sorry if seeing someone switch to a better alternative than smoking traditional tobacco products offends you.
Ps i just looked at my post and i should of went over it cause there is a lot of miss spellings… anyways i know whats in E juice i make my own
Thanks and VAPE ON
Electronic cigarettes aren’t technically “good for you” this is true. Neither are high doses of caffeine and the corn syrup (that everyone in this comment board consumes everyday). However, as others have so passionately pointed out they are no where near as toxic as traditional cigarettes. Furthermore, as with any products(especially electronics)the quality control procedures of the manufacturers will determine how well those products perform. Also, since nicotine is practically the most addictive substance on earth us smokers have been in need of a product that not only delivers the nicotine but also addresses the psychological aspect of drawing on the cigarette. E cigarettes provide this need. And Mr. Marshall, the vapor produced from electric cigarettes is harmless compared to the smoke that is emitted from cancer sticks.
Have you considered that its just the goverment wanting to make up for the lost revenue in taxes of cigarettes when people start using these? hey they gotta keep people smoking real cigarettes to pay for Obama care.
Wow… just wow.
I couldn’t agree more. Question: How can the malls allow these kiosks to operate when there is not FDA approval for htese products and anti-freeze has shown up in the vapor. Should customer safety be priority? I don’t want to breathe these vapors in as an adult, Moms certainly do not want their children exposed so why? why are these allowed?
I read the comments first before I read your actual post. I don’t think many of the people actually read what you wrote. You were talking about the kiosk, not the actual e-cigarette.
It reminded me of the Dead Sea guys who used to physically grab at my sister and I when we walked by their kiosk. It took two years or so, but Crossgates finally did some thing about that.
Can I ask you question? Do you straighten your hair? I’m waiting for them to start shouting insults at people who won’t stop and listen to the spiel.
I know nothing about these (I’ve not even seen the commercials), but I have seen them at the Crossgates kiosk. My concern is whether the secondhand “smoke” has the same risks as regular cigarettes’ secondhand smoke. I didn’t realize the product was actual nicotine, but if that’s the case, then what are they puffing out?
I had never really thought about them at all until I was at a party in the presence of someone smoking one. Being pregnant, I was trying to keep my distance because I didn’t want to breathe in the chemicals, especially not knowing what they are. However, if the secondhand “smoke” is as bad as regular cigarettes’ secondhand smoke, then I think they should be banned in the mall and anywhere else regular cigarettes are banned.
Anyone know about the “output” from these devices?
Sunshine – Here’s a link to a July 2009 article highlighting the FDA’s concerns about the product: http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm173401.htm
Ok, that’s kind of funny. I can picture the scene. I guess they are thinking that thugs smoking these e-cigs will make others see the device as cool. Some smokers view them as sissy toys. Personally I think there needs to be some unbiased clinical research on the effects of these things. While I agree that most manufacturers are not spilling the beans on what they put in them there are other providers of the liquid refill that tell exactly what they put in. I do appreciate that. The question in my mind that remains even if using a e-liquid that has known ingredients is what chemicals are released during the vaporizing process? There are fibrous “sponges” that hold the liquid and some kind of metal element inside that gets hot to vaporize the liquid. So the fiber is getting hot and I’d guess it emits some chemicals as well. Regardless, its better than the tar and 4000 known chemicals in traditional cigs, so I guess there’s not much reason to complain.