Dear [Beech Grove] Council Member:
On behalf of members of the Consumer Advocates for Smokefree Alternatives Association (CASAA) who live, shop, and/or work in the Beech Grove area, we urge you to amend General Ordinance No. 24 to remove “the use of an electronic cigarette” from the definition of “Smoking” (Item K in Section 11901 Definitions.) CASAA is a non-profit organization that works to ensure the availability of reduced harm alternatives to smoking tobacco products and to provide the public with truthful information about such alternatives.
Smoking bans were enacted for the purpose of protecting non-smokers from the potentially harmful effects of second-hand smoke. But e-cigarettes emit NO smoke and pose NO known health risks to users or nonusers. The devices produce a vapor by heating a tiny droplet of liquid.
There are enormous differences between smoke and vapor. Smoke is created by the process of combustion. Setting tobacco on fire creates tar, carbon monoxide, airborne particulates, dozens of carcinogens and thousands of other hazardous chemicals. Inhaling these substances in smoke is the cause of 99% of tobacco-related diseases and deaths.
Vapor from an e-cigarette does not contain any of these substances. Dr. Murray Laugesen of Health New Zealand tested e-cigarette vapor for over 50 cigarette smoke toxicants and found none. [1] Recently German researchers compared smoke from a tobacco cigarette to samples from three electronic cigarettes, looking for release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and ultra-fine particles. Of the 20 compounds that were present in smoke, only 6 were present in vapor, at much smaller concentrations. All were well below OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits. [2]
Even the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association recognize that vapor differs from smoke. Earlier this year, those three organizations agreed to exempt smoke-free e-cigarettes from a smoking ban in Springfield, Missouri. Official Statement - 03.16.12 - FINAL PDF.
While CASAA appreciates the Council’s desire to protect its citizens, banning the use of smoke-free e-cigarettes in public places is not warranted based upon the information currently available. In fact, CASAA believes that banning the use of smoke-free e-cigarettes in public places may actually work against public health.
A survey of over 3,500 e-cigarette consumers, published in the medical journal, Addiction, found that 77% of daily users no longer smoke. [3]
Many e-cigarette users first discover the safer devices when they see them being used where smoking isn't allowed. Directing e-cigarette users—most of whom no longer smoke--into smoking areas may endanger their health. Furthermore, banning indoor use removes an incentive for continuing smokers to switch to an alternative that could significantly reduce their risks of smoking-related diseases. These products could save the lives of many more smokers—provided their use is not discouraged.
CASAA urges you to amend General Ordinance No. 24. Specifically, please remove “the use of an electronic cigarette” from the definition of “Smoking” (Item K in Section 119.01 Definitions.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Elaine Keller, President
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
ekeller@casaa.org
CASAA - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
(202) 241-9117
References:
1. Laugesen M. Health New Zealand. Poster Presentation at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco conference, Dublin, April 30, 2009. http://www.healthnz.co.nz/DublinEcigBenchtopHandout.pdf
2. Schripp T, Markewitz D, Uhde E, Salthammer T. Does e-cigarette consumption cause passive vaping? Indoor Air. 2012 Jun 2. Does e-cigarette consumption cause passive vaping? [Indoor Air. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI
3. Etter JF, Bullen C. Electronic cigarette: users profile, utilization, satisfaction and perceived efficacy. Addiction, 106: 2017–2028. Electronic cigarette: users profile, utilization, satisfaction and perceived efficacy - Etter - 2011 - Addiction - Wiley Online Library
On behalf of members of the Consumer Advocates for Smokefree Alternatives Association (CASAA) who live, shop, and/or work in the Beech Grove area, we urge you to amend General Ordinance No. 24 to remove “the use of an electronic cigarette” from the definition of “Smoking” (Item K in Section 11901 Definitions.) CASAA is a non-profit organization that works to ensure the availability of reduced harm alternatives to smoking tobacco products and to provide the public with truthful information about such alternatives.
Smoking bans were enacted for the purpose of protecting non-smokers from the potentially harmful effects of second-hand smoke. But e-cigarettes emit NO smoke and pose NO known health risks to users or nonusers. The devices produce a vapor by heating a tiny droplet of liquid.
There are enormous differences between smoke and vapor. Smoke is created by the process of combustion. Setting tobacco on fire creates tar, carbon monoxide, airborne particulates, dozens of carcinogens and thousands of other hazardous chemicals. Inhaling these substances in smoke is the cause of 99% of tobacco-related diseases and deaths.
Vapor from an e-cigarette does not contain any of these substances. Dr. Murray Laugesen of Health New Zealand tested e-cigarette vapor for over 50 cigarette smoke toxicants and found none. [1] Recently German researchers compared smoke from a tobacco cigarette to samples from three electronic cigarettes, looking for release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and ultra-fine particles. Of the 20 compounds that were present in smoke, only 6 were present in vapor, at much smaller concentrations. All were well below OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits. [2]
Even the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association recognize that vapor differs from smoke. Earlier this year, those three organizations agreed to exempt smoke-free e-cigarettes from a smoking ban in Springfield, Missouri. Official Statement - 03.16.12 - FINAL PDF.
While CASAA appreciates the Council’s desire to protect its citizens, banning the use of smoke-free e-cigarettes in public places is not warranted based upon the information currently available. In fact, CASAA believes that banning the use of smoke-free e-cigarettes in public places may actually work against public health.
A survey of over 3,500 e-cigarette consumers, published in the medical journal, Addiction, found that 77% of daily users no longer smoke. [3]
Many e-cigarette users first discover the safer devices when they see them being used where smoking isn't allowed. Directing e-cigarette users—most of whom no longer smoke--into smoking areas may endanger their health. Furthermore, banning indoor use removes an incentive for continuing smokers to switch to an alternative that could significantly reduce their risks of smoking-related diseases. These products could save the lives of many more smokers—provided their use is not discouraged.
CASAA urges you to amend General Ordinance No. 24. Specifically, please remove “the use of an electronic cigarette” from the definition of “Smoking” (Item K in Section 119.01 Definitions.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Elaine Keller, President
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
ekeller@casaa.org
CASAA - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
(202) 241-9117
References:
1. Laugesen M. Health New Zealand. Poster Presentation at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco conference, Dublin, April 30, 2009. http://www.healthnz.co.nz/DublinEcigBenchtopHandout.pdf
2. Schripp T, Markewitz D, Uhde E, Salthammer T. Does e-cigarette consumption cause passive vaping? Indoor Air. 2012 Jun 2. Does e-cigarette consumption cause passive vaping? [Indoor Air. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI
3. Etter JF, Bullen C. Electronic cigarette: users profile, utilization, satisfaction and perceived efficacy. Addiction, 106: 2017–2028. Electronic cigarette: users profile, utilization, satisfaction and perceived efficacy - Etter - 2011 - Addiction - Wiley Online Library
