The future of smoking? E-cigarette sales come to Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor
Renee Brown, founder and owner of AirE8 Electronic Cigarettes, with Jeremy Young, assistant manager of the company's sales kiosk at Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor. The kiosk is located in center court, closest to Sears. They opened earlier this month, selling tobacco-free cigarettes. This is the company's fourth mall-based location and first in Michigan.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
So when she decided to give quitting another try, she looked for a better way and found e-cigarettes, battery operated devices that look like cigarettes that can deliver nicotine without the smoke.
She also found a new business venture. Earlier this month, Brown opened up AirE8 Electronic Cigarettes in a center court kiosk at Briarwood Mall, her fourth mall-based location to open since March and first in Michigan.
Brown said she has a one-year lease and hopes to hit her $10,000 in monthly sales target soon. She calls it “the future of smoking” and plans to open six more locations in 2011.
It’s the second e-cigarette venture to be at Briarwood, said Ida Hendrix, mall manager. The other business, simply called E-cigarettes, occupied kiosk space last summer for a few months. The kiosks tend to attract shorter-term tenants testing out a product, Hendrix said.
E-cigarettes, which act like tiny, battery operated vaporizers that deliver nicotine without the tobacco or tars, have come under attack by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, particularly for the quality of the equipment.
From Brown's point of view, they are an alternative to smoking. The FDA has said e-cigarettes are untested, potentially toxic and carry no age restrictions.
E-cigarettes come in a pack of 10 for $18.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
“It is clear from this poll that U.S. adults are not waiting for scientific evidence of adverse health effects of e-cigarettes before asking that they be regulated and restricted,” said Matthew M. Davis, M.D., director of the poll and associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at the U-M Medical School.
Hendrix said AirE8 is allowed to demonstrate how e-cigarettes operate at Briarwood, although she doesn’t know if using them in the mall, where smoking is banned, will be allowed.
There was some confusion when someone saw another person using an e-cigarette when the other e-cigarette company was operating, she said.
But there have been no complaints from mall customers, Hendrix said.
“The reality is, people do smoke, and there is a demand for them (e-cigarettes).”
Brown said her product is safe, describing it as water vapor with cartridges loaded with a mix of vegetable glycerin, flavors and nicotine, if desired. And she said she doesn’t sell to anyone under 18.
They are also a money-saver, which is driving sales in the tough economy: A 10-pack of e-cigarette cartridges (the equivalent of 15 packs of regular cigarettes) costs $18 compared to more than $100 for tobacco cigarettes, she said. This does not include the cost of the hardware - the electronic cigarettes, the charger and case, which sells for $65.
With one location in Minneapolis and two in Wisconsin, Michigan was the next logical step because of the state’s recent ban on smoking in public places, Brown said.
But she also wanted to set up shop in a college town. E-cigarettes have two customer bases: Middle age smokers trying to cut back or quit regular cigarettes and college students who aren’t regular smokers but who want to have an occasional cigarette over drinks or in a social setting. They buy the e-hookahs, which are flavored but without nicotine. About 90 percent of the company’s sales are the nicotine e-cigarettes, Brown said.
Brown said she’s heard all of the criticism. But she said checks ID and she believes the industry should be regulated.
The components for the AirE8 e-cigarettes are produced overseas to her custom specifications, Brown said.
“They are closer than other e-cigarettes to the real cigarette experience as far as the feel and the hit. It has to be just right to be a good experience.”
E-cigarettes first appeared on the market three years ago. They are produced for Brown’s parent company, YOPS, Inc., based in Green Bay, Wis.
AirE8 e-cigarettes are not promoted as a way to quit smoking, Brown said.
“We don’t tell people they need to quit smoking. They already know that. This is an alternative. It’s a way to save money and it’s safer. But it’s still smoking," she said. "Every customer has their own intentions.”
Comments
Kris
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 1:28 a.m.
What I find truly sad reading these posts is the lack of educated people! I did not read a single well informed, educated and researched negative post! The gist of the negative views were a simple, it looks like smoke, therefore must be bad or the ever popular misleading quotes from the FDA (no questionable motivation from them..nooo! Yes, that was sarcasm). Oh, and let's not forget the ones that try to cite medical rationale for their negative view or the people that don't want their kids to see it. Really? For the medical aspect, review the post well written by Dorothy Taylor, LPN. She said it all so I will not repeat. FDA? Does it make sense to anyone that they would prefer to ban a safer product but not the one known to kill people? It's all about big pharma protecting their financial interest. Your kids? I have not run across a single vendor that encourages or sells to them. As far as being worried that they are trying to do so because the liquid comes in flavors-well, darn it, I like butterscotch! Kiosks in the mall? Nope. There has not been a single report of any one working in a kiosk trying to sell them to children. You're more worried about your kids watching people try something safer than what they are already doing than a Victoria's Secret store being right next door to the Disney store? Where are your values? I am more offended by having to deal with the ignorance on here than anyone has the right to be offended by my perfectly safe water vapor that emits no smoke or odor. I smoked for 27yrs and quit the day I started this. I feel great and it is certainly much safer for me than the drugs the FDA wants to shove down my throat that causes depression and suicidal thoughts!
Jim
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 6:38 p.m.
@ShadowManager I'm not delusional or paid by anyone other than social security, but I am an angry citizen who will continue to campaign for honesty from our health organizations. The health world has been just as bad as the tobacco industry was decades ago. They have used propaganda to generate revenue off the backs of the smoker. They have worked very hard to make it look like they were against smoking, but have kept the numbers consistent for years now. Are we any closer to stopping smoking than we were 10 years ago? Not really. Using their numbers, about 45 million adults smoke and 440,000 die of smoking related diseases every year. At the same time, every day 2,500 kids start smoking with 1,100 that will become long term smokers over time. If you do the math, without getting people to quit, the number of smokes is being reduced by less than 40,000 a year and that's based on the mis-assumption that those 440K deaths were all smokers which they aren't. I read an FDA report on lung cancer a while back. 20% of lung cancer comes from current smokers (about 20% of the population) and 20% of it comes from never smokers which they say is 60% of the population. The other 60% of the cancer comes from ex-smokers, you and. In their statistics they consider anyone that smoked more than 99 cigarettes in their lifetime to be an ex-smoker. Those ex-smokers are part of that 440K deaths, if they die of one of the diseases that is classified as a smoking related disease. The SHS issue is so overblown and full of mis and dis-informaton, driven by anti-smoking/tobacco/nicotine zealots. When they couldn't prove that SHS was a health risk by using standard epidemiological statistics, they changed the statistical rules. Let's face it, smoke stinks and it's not pleasant, but the levels you get in most circumstances is just that. Have a fireplace that you burn with any frequency? You're doing more damage to your health than a few whiffs of a cigarette. One of my biggest pet peeves about our health organizations is in how they moved from smoking to demonizing tobacco and nicotine. Instead of trying to get people off cigarettes and onto safer products, they've used the expression, "(name your product) is not a safe alternative to smoking". There are a number of smokeless products on the market and they've been there for some time- Swedish snus, Ariva, Stonewalls, etc.- that are much, much safer than smoking. Totally safe, of course not. However, 95-99% safer is pretty darn safe. Yet, the effort is always there to get you to use overpriced, under effective methods to temporarily get you to quit smoking, then return right back where you started. Swedish snus has been used in Sweden for centuries and has been studied extensively. The only disease that it increases risk with is pancreatic cancer. It does double the risk from around 4 people per 100K to 8 people per 100K, but smoking is something like 13 per 100K. Sweden, which has largely substituted snus for smoking has by far the lowest risk of smoking related diseases in the western world. From what I've read, some of these other products are even safer. The government and these so called?non-profit?"health" organizations have polarized the two sides and created a eugenic atmosphere. Unless some honesty is forthcoming, these debates will continue indefinitely.
Kristin
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 10:42 a.m.
@ShadowManager First of all, where have you seen any comments made by someone "paid by the e-cigarette industry?" That's a pretty big assumption and usually those posts are obvious because they include a link to a merchant. Second, what is "delusional?" To have a habit or addiction that was killing us now be 98-99% safer? Was it "delusional" for car drivers to hail innovations in safety restraints that saved lives? Are they delusional to think it makes driving "safer?" It's called "harm reduction." That means continuing a practice which could be potentially harmful, but doing it in a safer way. This is not a new concept - public health officials tell us to use condoms, switch to low-fat foods and use seat belts. Doing these things reduces the risk of potential harm, but doesn't eliminate risk altogether. Why does the public expect nicotine users to completely quit rather than it being ok to significantly reduce harm? Are you expected to quit sex, quit eating ice cream and quit driving because there is a risk associated with them? No - just to do it in the safest way possible. So why can people not grasp that nicotine can be used in a relatively safe manner, as well? I think people who believe they are somehow better than nicotine users, because they think they aren't addicted to anything or are living a completely risk-free life are the delusional ones.
ShadowManager
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
Is it just me...or does every "former smoker" who waxes poetic about the great boon E-cigarettes are to their "health"...seem completely delusional.... and/or paid by the E-cigarette industry to promote the product. P.S. I live in the USA, where every day it get healthier when there's less smokers.
Michael Nelson
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 3:09 a.m.
After smoking 2-3 packs a day for about 30 years, my lungs began to feel some sharp pain. This was a sign that I was hurting myself. I'd seen e-cigarettes, but were skeptical of them. Later, I found some in a nearby town and bought some. From that time on (over six weeks now) I have not smoked a regular cigarette. People that watch me and are amazed at the invention that keeps me happy without smoke, tar, or smell. I feel much better, have much less pain in my chest, and lost the smell that followed me for decades. To me, the e-cigarette IS THE future of smoking. You know, the kind you could enjoy in 10 Forward... Respectfully Submitted, Michael Nelson P.S. I live in China, where e-cigarettes are mostly unheard of, but very cheap. Seems interesting to me that even though many of them are made in China, this is a truly new product in China mainstream. Given the number of smokers in China that want to give up the smoke, this product should be more popular than it is.
Kristin
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 9:18 p.m.
I see a lot of people condemning e-cigarette users for their nicotine addiction and not appreciating that they are no longer smoking. How have we, as a society, gone from "smoking is bad" to "ALL addiction is bad?" An addiction is bad only if the risks/harm outweigh the benefits. However, nicotine use WITHOUT smoke isn't really any worse than drinking coffee. Yes, the addiction is stronger, but it doesn't harm the user any more than caffeine use and there are many more caffeine users than there are smokers. Caffeine is in chocolate, soda, coffee, tea, energy drinks, diet supplements and more. Similar health risks to nicotine, used far more widely than nicotine, yet nicotine is somehow worse just because it is more addictive? Addiction is not automatically "bad." Romantic intercourse has no purpose other than to make us feel good. Without it, many people have "withdrawl" symptoms - increased anxiety, irritability, mood swings, decreased concentration, etc. - clear symptoms of an addiction in every sense. So, does that "addiction" automatically make it a bad thing? Obviously not, but it COULD be if you consider how someone goes about getting it. Intercourse could be bad if done with numerous partners without protection, prostitution, porn, etc. But it's the negative behaviors & risks associated with it - not the act (addiction) itself - that is bad. People who use nicotine obtain some benefit - it has a calming effect, it's a pick-me-up, it helps concentration, it helps with depression or any number of reasons why people keep using it after they start. The worst thing about nicotine use was the negative health effects caused by the SMOKE from tobacco cigarettes and that it kept people smoking, not the nicotine addiction itself. E-cigarettes do not contain smoke and consist of all FDA-approved ingredients - propylene glycol, food flavoring and nicotine. None of which are known to have significant health risks in the amounts found in e-cigarettes. How anyone can even think that they would be anywhere near as dangerous as tobacco smoke is beyond comprehension - it lacks all reason and scientific logic. Seven years on the world market and three years in the U.S. and there have been no reports of illness or injury attributed to e-cigarette use. That's THREE YEARS of real-world testing just in the U.S. alone and no adverse effects have been reported. In fact, nearly all users have been reporting improved health and vitality. Compare that to FDA-approved Chantix, which was APPROVED after clinical trials, yet proceeded to start killing people within months after release onto the market and real-world use. So, is lab testing really that more reliable than the real-world testing? To expect that a teen will buy $35 - $150 e-cigarettes because they are "cool gadgets" and have "candy flavors" and then switch to foul-tasting, non-gadget tobacco cigarettes is a complete contradiction that people don't seem to notice. If the FDA would just regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products, they would automatically be banned for sale to minors by federal law and could be regulated for safe manufacturing. Yet the FDA and public health groups have fought that classification and even refused to allow the passage of legislation which would have banned the sale to minors while leaving them available as an option for adult smokers. What is the real motivation here? E-cigarettes are quite possibly one of the most significant advancements for public health to come along in decades and people are opposing them based on irrational, baseless fears and personal judgments. It defies all logic and reason. Think about it.
Linda 'Lou'
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 8:07 p.m.
I agree that they should not be sold to minors, and it seems the FDA has the power to regulate them as 'tobacco products' which would put such a regulation (amongst others) in place immediately. Unfortunately, they are busy wasting taxpayers money trying to outright ban them. Also, for those who may not know, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 prohibits the FDA from banning tobacco cigarettes. So seeing how the most dangerous method for nicotine consumption is here to stay, and quit rates have remained stagnant since 2005, it doesn't make sense to me to deprive 20% of our population access to these reduced harm alternatives.
Jim
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
CincoDeMayo, let me try to address some of your issues. This post was longer but I used up to much newsprint with my response. I didn't realize there was a news byte shortage. You misunderstand the misinformation and disinformation that is being issued when they say regulated. The FDA has the ability to regulate them today, they have just opted not to. They want to regulate them as a drug and drug delivery device, not as a tobacco product as the courts will, hopefully, rule them to be. The ingredients are pretty straightforward and the only short term danger is in the manufacturing process which, again, the FDA has the ability to control today. However, what the FDA and the?non-profit?"health" organizations such as the ALA, ACS, CTFK, et al say is that they have not been proved to be "safe and effective" That translated is that they want to be able to ban them until they go through the rigorous process of FDA drug approval. This will effectively take them off the market, send them through a seven to 12 year process which is not only lengthy, but extremely expensive. The best we could hope for was another ineffective, extremely expensive NRT product that doesn't work much better than the existing NRT products. I could see Pharma companies ten years from now coming out with a similar product that, like all their other NRT products, has an abysmal success rate after a couple years. Why? Because there really isn't any real effort to stop people from smoking, just making money off the effort. Who? The FDA, the legislative arm of the Pharma industry, gets paid big every time they process an NDA. The?non-profit?"health" associations, the lobbying arm of the Pharma industry, exist because there is something to fight, not to solve health issues. They get paid vast sums of money from the government and Big Pharma and they want the revenue stream to continue. The government, Federal, State and local lives off the massive taxes and fees (study the MSA agreement) which funds so many non-tobacco related issues. That I might agree with you on if you agree that drinking coffee and soda should not belong in a family oriented location or that eating fast food should not belong in family oriented locations. The fasted growing epidemic in this country is not smoking, it's obesity. If we're trying to protect children from themselves and want to set a good example, we have to get them to understand that caffeine is not good for them, fatty foods and drink is bad for them. I personally don't believe any of that should be done, parents need to take responsiblity for raising their young.
Kelly
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 3:59 a.m.
As a 28 year smoker, the electronic cigarette was my life saver. I've been off smokes for a little over 2 months. I don't see a problem with them being sold in the malls around the country. They are no more dangerous than the gum and patches. What little testing the FDA did was a complete failure on their part. It was actually a joke. Think about this folks, if all smokers went to ecigs, it would kill the federal government in lose of tax revenue. The FDA's remarks are a scare tactic about ecigs. What the scare should be about is...if you continue to smoke cigarettes YOU WILL DIE A HORRIBLE DISEASE! But no, the FDA is more concerned about ecigs than cigs. I still can't figure that one out. No they shouldn't be sold to minors. Most vendors agree to that. They are not targeted at minors to start vaping. The government should regulate the age limit on them. I agree with that. Should they be banned in non smoking places? It's not smoking so the answer is no. However, those of us who choose to use them, respect non smoker's rights (or at least I do). Should non smokers dog us for using them? No. This is an addiction folks. It's not a joyride. But please don't preach to us. We already know that it's harmful to ingest nicotine but at the same token, cigarettes are far worse. My daughter has been trying to get me to quit smoking for years once she learned how bad it was for me and people around me. I should have listened to her. I regret I ever started but the electronic cigarette has truly been the one thing that I've tried and has worked so far. I started vaping 36mg. Within 2 months, I'm down to 2mg. I believe the patch is something like 6 weeks at one strength, then down to the next for another 6 weeks, and so on. Sorry doesn't work. I've beat the length of time in comparison to the patch. Will I stop vaping? I don't know. I don't vape now for the nicotine. I use 2mg and no nicotine cartridges. I swap when the urge hits. So far so good, no nicotine is winning the inner battle. I still like it even without the nicotine. I know it is more the psycological aspect of it. But that will be won eventually. Please don't bash us because we choose this as a safer way to sooth our addiction. Bottom line, we don't tell you what to do, so please respect our decisions as well.
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 11:31 p.m.
How can we change the last choice on the "VOTE" given at the end of the article to "All of the above"? Good alternative to 'real' cigarettes Should be FDA regulated (there's no way to know what's really in them) Don't belong in a family oriented location But, not a bad idea
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 11:23 p.m.
I am glad that these e-cigarettes are helping some quit the habit and feel better. Having become addicted to nicotine at a very, very young age (not as young as the You Tube baby, but not that much older either) I warned my children away from this legal drug in any way that I could. I feel like 30 years after starting, I was able to quit through a one time gift from God that I will never,ever challenge. I know that I can never, ever smoke again, because I know that I could never,ever quit again. Being sensitive to the ease at which children and teens can be started down certain paths, one issue that I have with e-cigarettes is the exact thing that also makes them appealing - that is the difficulty in detecting their use. Your son or daughter can be addicted to nicotine and you will not even notice it because of the lack of smell and mess. In my opinion, the e-cigarette is a double edged drug dispenser - great for those getting off real cigarettes, but not so great for kids and teens (and those who look after them) who have found a less detectable way to get their hit.
Jim
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.
Macabre Sunset, I fear that you have bought into the what I consider the biggest set of lies since the tobacco industry spewed them. One of the biggest is the addictive qualities of nicotine. Yes, for some, it is quite addictive. However the same can be said about many things- caffeine, alcohol, sugar, etc. The habit is amazingly addicting. I was a two to three pack a day smoker for 43 years until about 15 months ago. I started using an E Cig and reduced my consumption to about half a dozen cigs a day for seven months. Since then, I haven't had a single puff on a smoke. I still occasionally use my electronic cigarette but once the "habit" portion of smoking was broken, the cigarette "addiction" was broken. Plus, it wasn't hard at all to do. Part of the problem with smoking, especially now that cigarettes have gotten so expensive, is that once you light it, you smoke it until it's gone. With an E cig, you can take a few puffs and put it away. That in itself changes the dynamics of the habit. Flavor is another habit breaker. I thought I loved the taste of tobacco. Once I tried some of the other flavors that the E cig provided, I soon found that tobacco flavor was not so appealing after all. However, more important than all these factors is the ability to control the amount of nicotine you're using. I started out with a high nic content, thinking I needed it, but quickly lowered the level to what is now near zero in my liquid. Nicotine itself is not necessarily bad for you, a little investigation and you can find that out. Finally, there is a vast support group out there in a number of forums that can help the newbie get past the learning curve involved from moving from cigarettes to vapor. The one I found was e-cigarette-forum.com. So many helpful people there to help that have been there and done that.
jns131
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 9:39 p.m.
Macabre? From the way things are going? Ohio State is going to beat U-M by a long shot. Nicotine 1 quitting 0. Sorry but these E cigs sound tempting to me.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 8:51 p.m.
Dorothy Taylor, since she introduced herself as a health-care professional, is leaving herself open to considerable liability. Nicotine is pretty much the most addictive substance we know of. While caffeine also has addictive properties, it's like comparing Michigan football to Ohio State football right now.
Elaine Keller
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
As a matter of fact, they are not untested. Dr. Murray Laugesen of Health New Zealand conducted numerous tests and reported, "Because inhaled nicotine is over 98% absorbed, the exhaled smoke is propylene glycol minus the nicotine, and any exhaled PG mist dissipates within seconds. Without the gaseous products of combustion, the smoke is not harmful to bystanders. The smokeor mist is not tobacco smoke, and not from combustion no flame is lit and is not defined as environmental tobacco smoke." Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University tested two brands of e-cigarettes against the smokers' usual brand and sham smoking (puffing on an unlit cigarette.) They found that "Under these acute testing conditions, neither of the electronic cigarettes exposed users to measurable levels of nicotine or CO, although both suppressed nicotine/tobacco abstinence symptom ratings." These are just two examples and other testing continues, even as I write this. The bottom line is that for non-smokers, there is nothing to fear. For smokers, there is longer life and better health to be gained. I smoked for 45 years and tried dozens of times to quit using just about everything that claims to be a "smoking cessation" product or method (including hypnotism!). On March 27, 2009, I switched to an electronic cigarette and have been smoke-free ever since. For those of you worried about my lung health, this has been my experience: When I smoked, I used to be kept awake at night by the sounds of my wheezing. I used to cough up nasty stuff every morning. Since I switched, no more wheezing and no more morning phlegm. In fact, I can laugh out loud without going into a fit of coughing. My CO2 blood level is 26 (normal is 22-32), my bad cholesterol has gone down a little and my good cholesterol has gone up to 67. There are thousands of success stories like mine online. The American Association of Public Health Physicians has stated that these products have the possibility of saving 4 million of the 8 millions lives that might be lost to smoking over the next two decades. If someone you loved had tried and tried to quit smoking without success, would you want them to try electronic cigarettes, or do you honestly believe it would be safer for them to continue lighting up the real thing?
V Rodge
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 10:51 p.m.
Well said Dorothy and I applaud you for doing so. I used to smoke cigarettes until July of this year, I am also asthmatic. When a non-smoker tries to use something such as Chantix and can tell me what they experienced and have to live with for life due to the changes in the brain that occur, then I would value your opinion. There have been numerous products to date that are quoted as being "smoking cessation products/devices" I have not ever seen the electronic cigarette marketed as such and the reputable suppliers that I deal with do not market to ages 18/under. I saw this as a way to eventually go off cigarettes, whether I choose to quit the electronic cigarette down the road is undecided. I currently use nicotine in the liquids I vape and will gradually taper down to none. There have been many articles and arguments published about this topic, to date I see mixed results and reactions. The government is getting what they want by taxing the cigarette industry to the hilt, they have accomplished what they set out to do by getting people to quit. They are now running out of tax money to fund programs they used this money for. If quitting was so easy to do, the FDA would be finding something else to ban or cause alarm about. I am a stealth vaper and do once in a while in public places, in front of people everyday, and no one knows it. I've yet to see anyone gagging or coughing around me, in general there is no odor and/or fragrances emitted from these devices. Better watch the next person who you think is chewing on a pen when you're out and about and look a little closer, we're all around and growing in numbers.
Dorothy Taylor, LPN
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 10:16 p.m.
The ingredients of the e-cigarette liquid are propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine and flavorings, all of these ingredients are FDA approved for human consumption. While nicotine is addictive, it is no more addictive than another drug used by millions every day, that drug is caffiene, which is also a stimulant and vaso-constricter. Propylene glycol and glycerin are what are used in fog machines to mimic fog or smoke. Propylene glycol is also found in everything from your toothpaste to shampoo and has been shown to have anti-microbial properties and is often used in air fresheners to kill germs in the air. E-cigs have been on the world market for 5 years without any reports of serious injury, illness or deaths reported during that time. While users of e-cigs don't know for sure what the exact long term effects of use will be, they are reporting improved health so far. Coughs, wheezing and shortness of breath disappearing and increased lung capacity, verified by many e-cigarette users own doctors. Simply put, the overall health of e-cigarette users is improving. Tobacco cigarettes have over 500 different chemicals added to them and when they are burn they emit over 4000 chemicals in the smoke, approximately 50-60 of those chemicals are known carcinogens. The trace amounts of carcinogens that are found in the e-cigarette liquid is equal to that which is found in the FDA approved nicotine patches. While e-cigarettes showed 8 nanograms of carcinogens tobacco cigarettes have over 100,000 nanograms of carcinogens. There have been several laboratory tests that show zero carcinogens present in the vapor which is inhaled or exhaled by the user of the e-cigarette. E-cigarettes are marketed as smoking alernatives to tobacco cigarettes. All reputable sellers of e-cigarettes are in agreement that there needs to be regulations that prevent the sell of them to minors and do in fact refuse to sell to minors. There are many who claim that the flavors that one can get are directed at luring in minors, that is not the case, adult users like the different flavors. As a matter of fact, it is the flavors which make going back to smoking tobacco cigarettes totally unappealing to e-cigarette users.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 8:10 p.m.
Since there's apparently no second-hand smoke nor transfer of dangerous chemicals to innocent bystanders, this isn't smoking. Since nicotine is not a regulated drug (I believe it should be, as do many), the product is legal. I think this is going to force the issue of drug regulation in Congress soon enough, but for now, you're free to kill yourself with this device in any manner you prefer. I'm quite impressed with the ingenuity of this product. It is an incredibly complex device and I'm sure they're not charging anywhere near what it costs to construct, banking on heavy cartridge profits down the road.
jns131
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:10 p.m.
I quit smoking and gained 50 pounds. Still can't get em off. I smoked to keep the weight off. Been quit for almost 10 years now and still crave nicotine but can't afford the price Michigan charges for em. Sigh. I love the idea, can't afford the price. O well. Guess I will keep dreaming of a good long drag.
simone66
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:06 p.m.
This is basically a nicotine pacifier.
skenney1384
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 4:52 p.m.
@American Family Here, Here! Good to see some common sense for a change.
American Family
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 3:19 p.m.
"I'd like to see the company cited for violating the indoor smoking ban." No one could really enforce a law that prohibits "smoking" indoors at the mall. Nothing is burning. Just water with crud evaporating, to simulate smoke. There is no real smoke. If you give it some thought, when we have a typical Michigan rain, for all of 10 minutes most of the time, and the sun comes back out and starts to evaporate the water off the road, AND you are taking a walk, do you not know that you are "breathing in all kinds of yuck" that is being carried across your face mixed in the water vapor? Just because this pretend cigarette "looks" bad to you, done not mean it really is to anyone other then the "smoker" at most. If a kid is "smoking" eating a candy cigarettes are you going to say "cite the kid for violating the indoor smoking ban?" Of course not. It may LOOK like a cigarette, but it is not. This gimmick is look-alike, it is not real. Why is this hard for so many of you people to comprehend this idea? Can we get second hand water vapor? Maybe, but you would have to be very close to the "smoker" to have that happen. I do not know of anyone that I will let that close to me, other then my family. It does not carry like real smoke. WATER VAPORS from this gimmick does not float far from the toy cigarette. I laughed when I saw one. Silly thing, and I told a friend that someone will get all upset over this pretend cigarette. I must be clairvoyant. Use a little common sense everyone. It is not a danger to you unless maybe, and that is just a maybe for now, you place your self much to close next to the "smoker."
Rod Johnson
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 3:06 p.m.
"The FDA has said e-cigarettes are untested, potentially toxic and carry no age restrictions." Am I the only one who had a moment of "huh?" reading that?
Ron Granger
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 3:03 p.m.
I remember when these came out as "smokeless cigarettes" about twenty years ago. The big concern then was people taking them apart and loading them with crack. Then they could smoke crack anywhere. I heard that was a reason they were removed from the market.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 3 p.m.
@Alan Jackson. Can you imagine what would happen if everything needed to be proved to be safe before it could be sold? They can't be cited for violating the indoor smoking ban because there is no smoke.
Alan Jackson
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
There will be secondhand vapors from these devices because anything you breathe in, you breath out (at least some). Also the devices aren't going to deliver 100% of the material into the user -some will be ejected into the air. Also while the smell from these may not be as annoying as cigarette smoke the vapors may be just as dangerous. It actually helps that cigarettes smell so fowl, we know when we are being exposed to toxins known to cause disease. We just won't know. Let's be clear, these are untested drug delivery devices made by manufacturer that have no testing data and are unapproved. Not a good idea to use them and amazing you can get them at the mall. I'd like to see the company cited for violating the indoor smoking ban.
Ashley Weigel
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 2:19 p.m.
I think this whole thing is a little...odd. I mean, the FDA hasn't even approved it, they look like real cigarettes, but they can be sold to people of any age...something just doesn't add up here. for me, anyways.
American Family
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.
"touch" Moderator. Just trying to make a point with a smile :)
American Family
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.
rusty shackelford, The point was to make people understand that if an adult wants to do some silly thing to his or her OWN person, and it does not harm others, other then maybe some thin skinned busy body that feels the need to be concerned needlessly, it is up to them. The adults that want to "drink to much, smoke junk in to their own bodied, stick their tongue in to an electric socket" is their choice to make. Smart or dumb. It is not for other adults to questions them, as long as their silly actions do not harm others. The e-cigerate is about as silly as a pet rock, and people here are all up set about it. At most just "hand them their sign", and walk away. Are there not much better things to put time and effort in to? In the long run, who are they hurting but them selves? Relax.
herbal_tea
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 1:52 p.m.
If you sell something, regardless of how stupid, some people will buy it.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
"American Family," your analogy is an unfortunate one for numerous reasons. Aside from the unnecessary scatology, a person swimming in "poop tanks" as you so colorfully put it would be a walking e. coli (among other diseases)spreader, causing serious health hazards to the community at large. Edward Vielmetti, I didn't realize Annarbor.com allowed such disgusting language. Isn't this an American "family" site?
Killroy
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
This is just another ploy of re-inventing the cigarette to keep profits flowing and to slowly kill the consumer; nothing has changed! No cigarette is safe, period.
lugemachine
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 1:12 p.m.
"Untested and potentially toxic". These things could be more dangerous than Happy Fun Ball and Briarwood is providing the venue for their sale? I question their wisdom.
American Family
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 12:45 p.m.
Cheese and Rice, Enough all ready. Liberals and other busy bodies, stay out of other grown peoples lives!! If an adult want to swim in poop tanks, and piddle in to the air and take a self created shower it is up to them. Mind your own back yards!!!!! You worry warts are on most Americans last nerve. Big Brother and the likes need to keep their for your own good, and we know best crud to yourselves. It is WATER VAPOR for Petes sake!!!!!!!! What next??? Ban fog and clouds. The PC things have gone to far!!! Stop it! And I do not even smoke.
skenney1384
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 12:45 p.m.
"If these E cigs don't affect anyone but the user, what is the problem? " @leaguebus: Because under socialized medicine and our socialist leaning society the government thinks for you to determine what is good and what is bad (e.g. taxing tanning beds)
M.
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.
I believe the reason people don't care about FDA approval is because the perception is "what could be worse than real cigarettes?". I'm waiting to see what the verdict is, but as a smoker I really appreciate them.
PaperTigerSaline
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
I agree with ShadowManager. The people at the kiosks ARE truly annoying. They should NOT be allowed to try to "get" customers while you are walking by. SO annoying. I always try to go out of my way to avoid them. Back to the e-cigarettes: They should NOT be sold in the mall, where there are so many little kids around. I agree that they should perhaps try to sell them in a smoke shop or something. However, I would try them, as it is cheaper than cigars. Can't help it. I just like to smoke occasionally, period. I love the smell of a black and mild cigar, as long as it is not in a confined area. And, I'm by myself. Behind the garage. Where no one can see me.....
Mark A.
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:32 a.m.
As an asthma sufferer with symptoms that are easily triggered simply by walking down the perfume counter at a store in the mall or a detergent aisle at a department/grocery store, I'm worried that these cigarettes, especially if they're "flavored" will be smoked indoors where smoking wasn't allowed before, and cause me problems. If you want to smoke these over cigarettes, fine, but why still do it in public? Also, please be aware that if you wear a lot of perfume or cologne that you're affecting others.
rusty shackelford
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:26 a.m.
There's something so depressing about this. Working at the mall, smoking fake cigarettes that cost $36 per pack (i.e. real pack equivalent).
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.
I love how so many people online here like to worry so much about what substances other people choose to put into their bodies. FWIW, I wouldn't object to these devices being regulated by the FDA but seriously, this is just a another way for people to get a drug. It probably is safer than smoking cigarettes but since it eliminates second hand smoke, I don't see why it is anyone's business. People need to accept that when they are out in public, other people will probably at some point engage in behavior they don't want their kids to see. That is life.
ShadowManager
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 11:16 a.m.
You know what should be outlawed? Kiosks at the mall. There oughta be a law that they can't speak or come within 15 feet of all customers unless spoken to first by the customer. Truly the most annoying and intrusive salespeople at the mall are those at the kiosks.
sara
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 10:12 a.m.
I find them disgusting. Many of us are trying to teach our children it's not cool to smoke ~anything~ but that's hard to do when you've got some fool sitting inside the mall making smoking rings and trying to act cool smoking these things and offering them to teenagers as they walk by. They don't belong inside the mall. Sell them in a smoke shop for smokers trying to quit.
TruthMan
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 10 a.m.
I can imagine Renee using her wonderful product to teach her children how to use her product so that they too can become successful smokers and get around Michigan smoking laws. In my opinion, E-cigarettes should be banned. It took me 21 years to quit smoking, and it was the hardest thing I ever did, and the best gift I ever gave myself. There is no informed person who will tell you that smoking is a good thing to do, and everything and every person who glorifies it and encourages children to engage in it has a direct involvement in the 400,000 people every year who die from it... That's the equivalent of three jumbo jet 747's crashing every day, and Renee wants to provide this wonderful service to help more smokers. I'm sorry... no way... there is no excuse.
leaguebus
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 9:45 a.m.
If these E cigs don't affect anyone but the user, what is the problem?
Some Guy in 734
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
When I'm at a public house to quench my thirst, the lizard part of my brain that liked satisfying vices likes smokin'. And I have to say it's great. No ashtray, no lighter, and if I want I can take literally a couple of puffs and stick it right in my pocket, no worrying about stubbing out a nearly whole cigarette. Now, yes, I do wish I could buy 'Murican-made cartridges. The stuff is overwhelmingly China-based and the quality control does skeeve me a touch. (Remember the dog food? Toothpaste?) That said, the nominal ingredients are all FDA Generally Recognized As Safe, with the exception of nicotine. But that's also available over the counter, in gum, lozenges, patches, and even in plant-based preparations rolled in paper. You can buy those things all the gee-dang place.
Ruth
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 9:09 a.m.
I want to see evidence about effect on lung tissue. There are already enough people suffocating from lung damage from tobacco products along with air pollution. I know several who would like to turn back the clock and stop smoking earlier, because of the misery of COPD or lung cancer now. The safety of this product should be checked out before it is available.
A2K
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 9:02 a.m.
This may remedy the carcinogens from the burning of a real cigarette - but Nicotine is still a vasoconstrictor and a stimulant, so I imagine using it can have cumulative/physiological effects. I think it needs study to determine safe levels of consumption, and not to be sold to under 18. However, it seems like a good alternative to regular tobacco - gotta love progress!
Jim
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 8:31 a.m.
Smoking vapors must be awesome.
Some Guy in 734
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
A couple of questions: What make and model is the Air E8? Cursory googling couldn't tell me. It would be lovely to pick up cartridges at a local brick-and-kiosk store, but if they aren't compatible with my Kanger 808, I won't waste the trip to Briarwood. Do they have e-juice?
iamwater
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:43 a.m.
Gee, they look so cool.
Marshall Applewhite
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:38 a.m.
I love being able to smoke my e-cigarette indoors. This way, I'm able to occasionally have a real cigarette indoors without anyone noticing! Marshall=1 Politburo=0!
Ignatz
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
I wish people would wait until someone trumps up some fake study before banning something...sheesh! BTW, according to my English to Poli-Speak dictionary, regulation = taxes.
5c0++ H4d13y
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:16 a.m.
These may not cause cancer but I'm not sure they remove the possibility of vascular disease.
shipdog7
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 7:15 a.m.
The profits will help pay for the lung cancer treatments. There is no way she can determine this is a safer way of smoking. The effects of smoking aren't known until decades later. My Dad said "You end up dying from "something" down the road". He never expected the gruesome pain from lung cancer. The chemo and radiation treatments alone are hideous. Then again he smoked three packs a day. Those who "only" smoke a pack say "I'm safe, I only smoke one pack".