My comments just submitted.
Your Comment Tracking Number: 1jx-8332-akil
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I would like to submit my comment on the proposed regulations regarding the use of electronic smoking devices.
I have been a smoker for 7 years. I have been a pack a day smoker for at least 5 of those 7 years. About 5 months ago I starting using vaporized nicotine (I refuse to call them ecigarettes in these comments, as they are NOT cigarettes). Being a well informed consumer, I researched a lot and decided to try and find the best options for me in choosing a liquid based nicotine alternative.
Since starting to use a vaporizer, I have cut my smoking habit down to about 4 or 5 cigarettes a week, mainly while at work, and although haven't been able to quit altogether, have serious intention to. While I enjoy the social aspect, and ritual of smoking, I do not enjoy the smell, taste, cost, and significant dangers to my health and the health of those around me that they pose.
When I hear of measures being taken by the FDA and/or anti-smoking groups to either ban or heavily regulate liquid nicotine and the devices used to deliver it, it disappoints me greatly to know that something as harmful as cigarettes can go on thriving despite the higher taxes being levied on them, and yet heavy regulation on vaporizers and the liquids used in them will more than likely put many small businesses and vendors out of business. This will leave only the biggest and richest corporations left standing to manufacture and distribute the products.
This fact worries me, as I consider the amount of additives and chemicals that are used in cigarettes to make them more addictive, (over 80 of which are carcinogenic) and for god knows what other purposes. This will more than likely be the case with the liquid currently available for vaporizers if this is allowed to happen, and will have a detrimental effect on small business, the economy, and the overall health of the population.
Seeing as I can buy a liquid with 5 ingredients from certain reputable vendors (nicotine, water, vegetable glycerine and/or propylene glycol [used in fog juice, inhalers, etc], and FDA approved flavoring), the idea of inhaling over 4000 chemicals doesn't really appeal to me anymore. I fear for the future of this expanding and extremely beneficial market. Many people would simply go back to smoking regular cigarettes if a ban were enacted, or would be forced to smoke whatever poisons the big tobacco companies decided to put in their own version of liquid nicotine solutions if these small vendors are regulated out of business.
I enjoy smoking. But I do not enjoy the multitude of negative effects it has on my body. I do not WANT to quit my intake of nicotine, just as I'm sure many of you would rather not stop your daily intake of caffeine, which is in the same family of chemical as nicotine. I just want to do it in a healthier way, and things like a patch or gum will not satisfy the social and ritual aspects of smoking that I enjoy so much.
Please consider the comments submitted by the users of this new technology when making your decision, and please consider my comments on the matter as well.
Thank you for your time.
