News
Electronic cigarettes gain popularity in our area
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
KTIV.com (Sioux City)
Smoking inside bars and restaurants is not something you see often in Siouxland. That's because of smoke free laws that have been put into place in all three states.
Officials from the Center for Disease Control said these comprehensive smoke free laws were put into effect in the last few years. They prohibit smoking indoors at work sites, restaurants, and bars.
But, for those that smoke electronic cigarettes, the rules are different.
Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota don't cover them under their smoke free laws. Instead, it is up to individual owners and managers to decide if people can use e-cigarettes inside.
And, this is just one reason why the sales have taken off.
"It's been pretty much a steady climb ever since we opened up," Revolver Vapor Shop Owner Patrick Gill said.
"Business is doing good. We've done a tremendous amount of sales since we lowered our prices from what they used to be, and more people are switching over to e-cigarettes," Assistant Manager at Overstock eCigs, Bryce Drager said.
The convenience of being able to smoke indoors is also a huge plus for some customers.
"We've got plenty of people that, 'oh, yeah, you know, I can go out and now I don't have to leave all my buddies behind while I go out and have a cigarette,'" Gill said.
But, some smokers said they wouldn't feel comfortable using their electronic cigarettes indoors because for them it doesn't seem acceptable.
"I try not to go ahead and smoke it indoors. I try to go ahead and treat it like it's still a regular cigarette," Andy Schoenewe said.
"I don't want the people looking, but just to be courteous to others," Katie Bush said.
Smoking indoors may be a nice plus for electronic cigarette users, but Gill said the reason most people are turning toward this alternative is kick the habit.
"The draw for me to start smoking electronic cigarettes was that my wife and I wanted to go ahead and quit smoking regular cigarettes," Schoenewe said.
"I think 100-percent this will definitely help me quit," Bush said.
Just remember before using e-cigarettes indoors, check with the business owner first.
The FDA has not evaluated any e-cigarettes for safety or effectiveness.
Other methods to quit smoking can be found through the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline, South Dakota QuitLine, or Quitline Iowa.
http://www.ktiv.com/story/22868193/2013/07/17/electronic-cigarettes-gain-popularity-in-our-area
