Muskegon County, Michigan's Public Health Department attacks e-cigs...

[Placebo Effect]

Smokeless e-cigarettes grow in popularity, but they're controversial | MLive.com

Wait, I'm sorry. I'm so used to public health officials being prohibitionists that I got ahead of myself. The headline should read, "Muskegon County, Michigan's Public Health Department takes rational approach to e-cigarettes."

“Personally, I think it's a heck of a lot safer than using cigarettes,” said Ken Krause, Muskegon County's public-health officer and director of the county's public-health department. “It's not a huge difference from using the nicotine patch or nicotine gum. ... I would much rather see people use the e-cigarettes rather than smoking.”


“There's not been studies on it, so I can't say absolutely it's a safe product,” Krause said. “But we definitely know that cigarettes themselves are harmful.”


Ed Parsekian of Shelby, who recently retired as Muskegon County's smoking-cessation educator and still conducts freelance stop-smoking classes, is a fan.


“I'm in favor of them,” Parsekian said. “The e-cigarettes are helpful to a lot of people.”

 

[jj2]

OMG someone with a little common sense!

 

[JustJulie]

Two thumbs up to Ken Krause for displaying a sane, common sense approach that is sadly lacking in so many of our public health officials.

 

[Crumpet]

I'm really getting tired of people saying there's been 'no studies' on e-cigs. It's a flat out lie and a demonstration of laziness.

 

[The Wiz]

I'm proud to have Ken Krause as a neighbor! Nice article.............Thanks for posting!

Wiz!

 

[maureengill]

holy crap....I'm guessing that guy won't be elected again too much common sense being used....

 

[Jacinda222]

Yay Muskegon County! I wish we could get people like that running ALL the health programs. They actually CARE about improving people's health, not just promoting the agenda of organizations in the pocket of big pharma. Good for them!

 

[taz3cat]

Ken Krause, thank you for your excellent comments and open mindedness. We need more folks holding public office like you, putting the people first and taking the time to investigate better choices they can make. After 3 years I can tell you I have not had any adverse effects from using e-cigarettes, my doctor is pleased with my improvement in blood pressure and other factors.

 

[Vocalek]

Dr. John Hughes of the Unviersity of Vermont has studied withdrawal symptoms and states that a) not everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms, b) most withdrawal symptoms peak within 2-4 weeks and then gradually disapper, and c) about 25% experience protracted withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms that last beyond 6 weeks are likely due to underlying illnesses (e.g., attention deficit disorder) that the nicotine has kept in check.

I have noticed that one of the protracted withdrawal symptoms that can last for years and years among ex-nicotine users is delusions of omniscience. This tends to be especially true of those who did not experience any of the ususal withdrawal symptoms, which supports their false conviction that such sympotoms do not exist. (See if you can guess which commenter I'm describing.)

 

[rothenbj]

Yes Elaine. TheTruth has been spoken. There appears to be an un-diagnosed psychological disorder apparent in some of these folks. I almost commented before reading further when I concluded I was prepared to debate delusions of grandeur.