Are E-Cigarettes Considered Harmful Or Helpful?

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - The term is called "vaping" not smoking. You are actually inhaling nicotine-free liquid, or "juice," that comes in a variety of flavors. Some business owners have begun to look at e-cigarettes the same way they do nicotine cigarettes; they bring an odor and health risks.

Many employers want to support their employees who are trying to quit smoking. But is bringing an e-cigarette indoors the right decision?

So far, only three states have added e-cigarettes to their list of banned things in the workplace - New Jersey, Utah and North Dakota.

Meanwhile, hundreds of businesses are left to make their own decisions while the health experts argue on whether they're a helpful tool to stop smoking or if they're simply a milder, but still harmful alternative to cigarettes.

The vaping liquid contains nicotine and that's why public-health officials and health advocacy groups argue that the vapor is a pollutant. But they stress that more research is needed to fully understand it's health effects. Scientists tend to agree that the e-cigarettes give off far less toxins than traditional cigarettes.

In the next few weeks, the Food and Drug Administration will release it's recommendations on the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes. So far, 24 states and the District of Columbia have banned smoking in the workplace.

KDKA Radio's Mike Pintek spoke with the Founder of the National Vapers Club, Spike Babaian, about why e-cigarettes should not be in the same category as traditional cigarettes. She feels they bring much more good than harm.

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