KSTP News: What are 'e-cigarettes?'

[jamie]

Video at link:
KSTP TV - Minneapolis and St. Paul - INVESTIGATION: What are 'e-cigarettes?'

With just one puff, a new kind of cigarette is changing the smoking industry and upsetting federal health officials at the same time.

The 'e-cigarette' is expected to arrive in the Twin Cities in a couple of weeks, but it's already in the state. The new high-tech smoking device made in China is as controversial as it is different.

 

[Sun Vaporer]

Video at link:
KSTP TV - Minneapolis and St. Paul - INVESTIGATION: What are 'e-cigarettes?'

With just one puff, a new kind of cigarette is changing the smoking industry and upsetting federal health officials at the same time.

The 'e-cigarette' is expected to arrive in the Twin Cities in a couple of weeks, but it's already in the state. The new high-tech smoking device made in China is as controversial as it is different.

Just like when Ford rolled out the first Model T automobiles---skeptics all said it would never replace the horse--absent a ban, the e-cig would indeed take over cigarettes---------Sun

 

[Nuck]

Nice, calm, factual report. Excellent.

 

[strayling]

That was a very good piece. Informative, not sensationalist and giving the perspectives of suppliers, customers and a pressure group equal prominence. I'd love to see the whole debate which is bound to arise be conducted on that sort of level.

 

[kcrlshell]

I live in the Twin Cities...saw that report on KSTP last night, and ordered up a starter kit this morning. I had never heard of e-cigs before last night. When I mentioned it to my son, he told me a lot of the kids have them at school...even the friend he had over last night has one. Man, am I old and out of touch!

 

[ROB26]

I live in the Twin Cities...saw that report on KSTP last night, and ordered up a starter kit this morning. I had never heard of e-cigs before last night. When I mentioned it to my son, he told me a lot of the kids have them at school...even the friend he had over last night has one. Man, am I old and out of touch!

UH OH, please tell me your son is at least in high school! Don't want second graders running around with these things! lol

 

[kcrlshell]

Yes, I should have mentioned that he's in high school...not second grade! He also mentioned that it's mostly kids with "a lot of money" that have them. Even if e-cigs do save money in the long run it's a largish outlay of cash for start up...not to mention needing access to a credit card.

 

[ejfan1977]

Yes, I should have mentioned that he's in high school...not second grade! He also mentioned that it's mostly kids with "a lot of money" that have them. Even if e-cigs do save money in the long run it's a largish outlay of cash for start up...not to mention needing access to a credit card.

Uh oh... Kids with lots of money, not the intended target for this product. This doesn't look good....

 

[kcrlshell]

I couldn't agree more, but I think it's predictable. Not only does it fly in the face of the underage smoking taboo, but it's a gadget as well, and kids are always early adopters of gadgets. I'm on the geeky side of loving technology, and I know the gadget aspect tickles me pink.

 

[jamie]

There are plenty of gadgets to be had with that money. Kids buying this will be ciggie and/or weed smokers, I'd bet on that.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

That was a very good piece. Informative, not sensationalist and giving the perspectives of suppliers, customers and a pressure group equal prominence. I'd love to see the whole debate which is bound to arise be conducted on that sort of level.

I second that! What a great piece of journalism that was!

 

[TropicalBob]

He also mentioned that it's mostly kids with "a lot of money" that have them. Even if e-cigs do save money in the long run it's a largish outlay of cash for start up...not to mention needing access to a credit card.

This is an OMG moment. That was a nice TV report, but the next one will be about rich, underage high school "children" becoming addicted to nicotine courtesy of a technie cig toy from China (available in flavors children love: banana, chocolate, melon, cherry and apple).

Seriously, it is Bad News if high schoolers start puffing e-cigs. How many reasons can we hand anti's to ban e-cigs? This one makes the short list.

 

[Nuck]

I'd knew you'd find the dark lining on the silver cloud!

 

[strayling]

I'd knew you'd find the dark lining on the silver cloud!

The reality is more likely to be rich kids starting to use e-cigs instead of analogs, which is a difficult point to get across. It's valid, but easy to shout down with appeals to emotion (lesser evil is still evil, etc.).

 

[TropicalBob]

It was handed to me, Nuck!

I liked the TV report. But the comment about kids put out any flame the TV report might have ignited. You want negative press? Get some photos of high school kids e-smoking in the parking lot!

 

[Nuck]

I don't think any country bases a permanent ban on collateral issues like that. Even pot laws are moving towards decriminalization.

We love the e-cig and we're worried but I honestly don't see how any lasting ban could ever be enacted. The genie is out of the e-bottle and it's never going back.

 

[MonkeyMonk]

TB's right! However, I would like to point out that some of the suppliers have posted on their websites that if they find out you lied about your age that: 1) They will keep your money and not send your order and 2) That they will prosecute.

 

[TropicalBob]

Nuck, we always hear "it's for the children" when some tobacco-nicotine-smoking issue is raised. I obviously do not share your glowing optimism about e-smoking being "out of the bottle" etc. The bottle is about to be shattered.

Until then, let's not give anyone a very valid reason to impose a ban.

 

[sherid]

High school students who want to be smokers are going to smoke something. Hell, elementary aged kids smoke Smarties. It's been that way since the beginning of time. Should a kid have a desire to smoke, he will find something to smoke. It may be cigarettes. It may be weed. It may be e cigarettes. It may be Smarties. The e smokers of the world are not causing this to happen. It's just the way it is.

 

[strayling]

The e smokers of the world are not causing this to happen. It's just the way it is.

Some people like to pretend otherwise and don't appreciate any reminder that they're wrong.