Are E-Cigarettes really that much better, though?

Week #5 Article #2

Belasco, Jessica(2013, October 1) E-Cigarettes on rise, but questioned. San Antonio Express News

http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/E-cigarettes-Healthy-alternative-or-danger-in-4857591.php

Category of problem: Health

Level of problem: Local/ National

This article concerns:

The growth in popularity and social acceptance of electronic cigarettes, although its health effects are not all known.

Importance/affect on families/individuals:

This is important to families and individuals because although the claim of e-cigarettes is that it is harmless, there is no evidence to back this claim. E-cigarettes are allowed in more public places because they are not technically cigarettes, but there should be evidence to back their health because currently they are not being regulated and may be having negative effects on people using them and people around users.

My input:

I feel that before these e-cigarettes are allowed anywhere and everywhere because they are “not cigarettes”, there needs to be extensive research to back the claim they are feeding people. These e-cigarettes are apparently harmless and a much better alternative to a regular cigarette, but for some reason, I am not buying it. I don’t know much about smoking, I have never and will never smoke a cigarette, nor do I understand why anyone would start to smoke. What I don’t like about these e-cigarettes is that people who have never smoked before are now on the bandwagon of e-cigarettes because they are “safe, harmless, and look cool”. I can almost guarantee that they are far from harmless, but I do hate that there has been no extensive research on the harm it can cause not only to the smoker or “vapor”, but to the people around them. If there is one thing I can appreciate about regular old cigarettes, it is that when I smell one, I know what it is, and I leave the area or room. With these vapor e-cigarettes, there is no smell and no way to tell if someone behind you is smoking one. I do know that there are toxic chemicals used in these e-cigarettes, so does that mean I am exposing myself to second hand vapor without knowing it? I can’t smell it to walk away, so am I unwillingly being affected by it? Also, because it is not technically a cigarette, a non smoking area or place can allow e-cigarettes, and children and teenagers can purchase these because they are not yet regulated. Something isn’t right here, guys.