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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Public health advocates told an Indiana legislative committee there's no scientific consensus on whether electronic cigarettes pose any health risks, even as a growing number of Indiana youths are trying the devices.
Brianna Herndon of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network told members of the Legislature's public policy study committee Tuesday that the jury's still out on the health risks of the battery-powered electronic devices, which heat liquid nicotine into an inhalable vapor.
"Let me be clear. These products are not approved cessation devices, and there's a lack of evidence to date demonstrating that e-cigarette products are safe," Herndon said.
E-cigarette proponents argued Tuesday that because nothing burns and no smoke is released, so-called vaping products should not fall under the same category as tobacco and do not carry the same health risks and carcinogens.
But Herndon noted that a recent study by Indiana University's Indiana Prevention Resource Center found that nearly 25 percent of Indiana high school seniors surveyed said they had used e-cigarettes or other vaping devices within the previous month. That's more than had smoked traditional tobacco and Herndon said the statistics suggest e-cigarettes should be treated like tobacco.
"We don't feel the public should have to be the guinea pig," said Traci Kennedy of Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights. "We don't feel the public should be testing the product."
E-cigarette proponents argued that vaping products can help people quit smoking traditional tobacco, The Indianapolis Star reported (http://indy.st/1KZwHVp ).
Greg Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, said such products should be seen as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes.
"Every time a smoker switches to these products, the public health benefits," Conley said. "It's not the nicotine that kills; it is the smoke."
Shadi Khoury, chief executive officer of Indy E-Cigs, said e-cigarettes can even be seen as a smoking cessation tool. He testified that he had quit smoking two years ago and now vapes exclusively.
Among the hearing's most contentious testimony was whether e-cigarettes and vaping products should be subject to more state regulation and taxes.
Evan McMahon, Hoosier Vapers chairman, said that because e-cigarettes can be seen as a smoking cession tool that should persuade the Legislature not to place additional taxes on those products.
"Instead of adding a tax, the state of Indiana should be embracing and rewarding people for switching to vaping," he said.
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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com
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