Ms. Hahn,
It has come to my attention that you are currently attempting to implement a ban on electronic cigarettes in the state of Kentucky. Before you continue with this effort, I hope that you will consider how these products have helped people like me to stop smoking and thereby reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease for myself and those around me.
First a bit about myself: My name is Thad Marney, I am a 34 year old separated father of a beautiful 8 year old daughter. Although my background is in the technology field, I currently work as a home care provider for adults with disabilities. I was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors for a newly formed organization called Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives (CASAA), but I receive no compensation and have absolutely zero financial interest in any
tobacco, pharmaceutical, or electronic cigarette business. 15 years ago this week my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I have dedicated my personal efforts to advocating smoke-free alternatives to that cause.
Raised in a traditional Christian home, I never expected to start smoking cigarettes, but when I got my first job in computer technical support I quickly realized that nearly all my coworkers were smokers, and I picked up the habit "socially" that eventually grew into an addiction to nicotine and a pack-a-day habit. As soon as I realized that I was becoming dependent on nicotine, I wanted to quit. My first attempt at "Cold Turkey" happened when I was going
through a personal struggle and I decided that I did not want to lean on any chemicals to help me
through...but once I got through the crisis and my life returned to "normal" stress levels, the symptoms of my ADHD eventually got the better of me and the habit resumed. Next I tried the nicotine patch, and although it helped ease the cravings, I had a bad reaction to the adhesive and was unable to continue using it. Next I tried the nicotine gum, and it also helped but the flavor and texture were not appealing and I eventually went back to the "cancer sticks". After that I tried the lozenge--like the gum I had some success in stopping smoking and since I didn't have to chew it I considered it an improvement, but once again I was smoking after a few months. Next I tried hypnotherapy--which was shockingly effective...for a couple weeks. The hypnotherapy had the unexpected benefit of giving me a renewed self-confidence that I could overcome the addiction, but once that feeling started wear off, smoke once again found its way into my lungs.
Approximately one year ago I came across a mall kiosk selling a new "gadget" that I'd never seen before. As a bit of a gadget-hound it was particularly appealing to me and I shelled out several hundred dollars to try it. I did not expect to quit smoking, but figured that if I could at least reduce the number of cigarettes I was smoking, surely it would be an improvement, and all the better if I actually managed to stop smoking completely. Unfortunately, I misplaced the expensive gadget from the mall, but my interest was piqued so I began doing research online and eventually found an "electronic cigarette" that was more affordable...and considerably more effective. I was still not planning or expecting to quit smoking, but within a few days of using the personal vaporizer, my sense of taste and smell began to return and cigarette smoking became repulsive. Basically, I came to the realization that I had already quit smoking...by accident!
Right now, I am continuing to use nicotine even though most of the withdrawal symptoms have subsided at it seems to help me cope with the symptoms of ADHD. I appreciate that I can use my e-cigarette to wean myself of nicotine if and when I choose while continuing to enjoy relatively harmless vapor whenever the urge to smoke rears its ugly head. In the meantime, I have eliminated all "tars", I don't stink of stale smoke, I have my sense of taste and smell back, I am regaining my lung capacity, my blood pressure is returning to normal, and most importantly I am no longer exposing myself or my family to deadly sidestream, first or second-hand smoke.
If you are truly concerned about smoking & health, rather than attempt to ban electronic cigarettes, I do not understand why you would not encourage current smokers to consider reducing the harm they do to themselves and their loved ones through the use of smoke-free products like those marketed as "electronic cigarettes". If you have concerns about these products, I would be happy to hear them as there is a lot of misinformation floating around: For example, you may be under the impression that e-cigarettes were found to be as dangerous as traditional cigarettes because of the recent FDA study on products by Smoking Everywhere and Njoy (two companies that have a pending lawsuit against the FDA). However, a close inspection of the actual report reveals that trace levels of tobacco related nitrosamines found in e-cigarette cartridges are of the same type and concentration as those found in FDA approved NRT products like Nicoderm CQ.
Thank you very much for your time. I hope that you will seriously reconsider your stance on these issues, and I encourage you to consider joining me in support of reduced harm products for adults who are otherwise unable or unwilling to stop smoking.
Best Regards,
Thad Marney
