There was a round of FoxNews videos that gave electronic cigarettes, and NJOY in particular a very positive review. I heard about these stories a few weeks back and wanted to catch up and comment on them.

First, let me say, I am not a huge FoxNews supporter even though I label myself as an independent with conservative tendencies. I am aware of their history and their biases. I do believe however that the first of these FoxNews videos in particular lives up to their slogan, “Fair and Balanced.”

There was no way for me to embed either of the FoxNews videos, however you may watch the first of the 2 videos at:

http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21988292/e_cigarette.htm.

I can’t argue with the report calling e cigarettes are a “fad” because that is a matter of opinion, but I believe they certainly are NOT a fad.

This video quickly introduces one of their medical contributors, Dr. Marc Siegel, who enthusiastically analyzes both sides of several electronic cigarette arguments.

Dr. Siegel’s overall assessment of electronic cigarettes is positive stating, “it has some possibilities” in the first of the 2 FoxNews videos. I encourage you to watch the videos yourself, but I do want to highlight and address a couple of comments made by FoxNews.

Dr. Siegel’s main concern with the product is that sales are not legally restricted to adults only and that kids will be able to purchase them especially from street vendors who are just looking to make a quick buck.

I share this concern with Dr. Siegel and in fact, the only legislation I would support right now for electronic cigarettes in the United States would be a law banning the sell of electronic cigarette to minors.

That’s right kids! You will have catch your buzz from caffeine in soda just like the rest of us did before we were 18 or couldn’t find someone to buy cigarettes for us!!

I do want to point out that most vendors I have come across will not sell the products to minors though.

He goes on to say in the first of 2 FoxNews videos that there are already nicotine inhalers on the market that are prescription only and that he believes nicotine is not totally healthy according to studies that have been conducted.

I personally don’t think nicotine inhalers OR electronic cigarettes should require a prescription since the nicotine patch and gum do not require a prescription. Nicotine replacement should be easily accessible to folks of legal age.

Other notable comments from Dr. Siegel include that he agrees with the makers of the devices that they do not contain tar and other carcinogens and therefore are less of a problem than regular cigarettes. He does still think the FDA should examine them further.

The second of the 2 FoxNews videos was actually on a local FoxNews channel in Charlotte, NC and featured NJOY and a representative of the company to provide some facts about their product.

Again, I encourage you to watch these FoxNews videos yourself and this one can be found at:

http://www.myfoxcharlotte.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=8361616

The beginning of this story really bothered me because I learned that California recently banned smoking in apartments and condos.  As you can imagine, some people are outraged including 72 year old Edith Frederickson who is on a quest to change the law.

The FoxNews video news story quickly improved when they brought John Wiesehan with NJOY on the show.

Wiesehan confirmed “Brotha’ Fred’s” assertions that the NJOY electronic cigarette:

• Does not set off smoke alarms
• Will not bother people’s allergies
• Emit no second hand smoke
• Can be smoked anywhere

Wiesehan also ads that the TSA has given the devices approval to the degree that they can be taken into airports, through airport security and onto airplanes although he advises caution puffing away at them on airplanes.

For that you should refer to my post on electronic cigarettes that includes a step by step process to approach smoking them on airplanes.

Wiesehan was finally able to redeem electronic cigarette vendors everywhere when Morgan Fogarty asked the following question:

Besides the obvious health benefits of this, why do this product, why make a product that encourages a vice instead of just saying quit?

Wiesehan’s response:

Because many people try to quit and can’t. and we are not marketing this as a quitting device. This is for you to be able, if you are a smoker, to be able to be able to do what Edith can’t. Edith needs to smoke her cigarettes and now they are telling her she can’ smoke in her house. So now we are giving her an opportunity to get the nicotine she is addicted to in her home forever.

So to all the negative press in the mass media, the FDA, and the WHO;   Does this sound like a company claiming their product is a smoking cessation device?