Think E-Cigs are a Better Alternative to Cigarettes?

If you think that e–cigarettes, or e–cigs, are a better alternative to smoking, you may want to reconsider.

Fargo Cass and Clay Public Health says within the last one to two years, the popularity of e–cigs has grown in the metro.

There is currently no long term research to say it is a better alternative, but the lack of research is exactly where the risks lie.

E–cigs, including vapors and hookah pins are currently unregulated by the federal government, which is why smokers could be easily confused.

“Definitely the idea is out there that they’re safer. They taste great, they look cool, they’re digital…everything that we do today is digital. How could that not be attractive?” says Holly Scott, a Tobacco Prevention Coordinator at Fargo Cass Health.

Health officials say vapor and e-cig users are also taking a risk, because there hasn’t been long term research done on the health effects of the different flavorings.

“The basic gel that’s vaporized in one e–cig is made out of either a vegetable oil called glycerin or propylene glycol,” says Jason McCoy, a Tobacco Prevention Coordinator at Clay Public Health.

Both liquids are approved by the FDA to be used in food, because your body can digest them, but there is no research on how it can affect your body in a vaporized form.

“Right now we’re really trying to find out what this will do. You don’t have the same immune system in your lungs that you have if it goes through your stomach or through your intestine,” says McCoy.

Gurt Ge of Fargo quit smoking 10 years ago.

He says when it comes to breaking the habit, e–cigs and cigarettes are the same.

“I do believe those two things are basically the same thing.  Both are harmful too people especially causing cardiovascular diseases,” says Gurt.

To help raise awareness, Fargo Cass Public Health and Clay Public Health will be hosting an Electronic Cigarette Awareness event for parents and adults working with youth on Tuesday at 6 pm at the Fargo Cass Public Health center.

We did reach out to several vape and e-cig shops, but no one was available for comment.