May 6, 2009

 

     The last time we saw Paula Smith, she was trying to replace her real cigarettes with the smokeless cigarette.

     “I didn't like to use it in public, its kind of big and bulky and dorky,” she said. “I didn’t want to pull it out shopping or at a restaurant so I did end up having regular cigarettes over the weekend.”

     Things changed when Paula got to work.

     “When I had a nic-fit at work I just picked it up and it was fine,” she said. “I didn't feel stressed out, didn't feel like I had to run outside to get a cigarette."

     When Paula puffed on it in her office, no one asked her to stop.

     This is a major concern for smoking cessation experts.

     Program Director for the Southern Tier Tobacco Awareness Community Partnership, Cassie Coombs, fears e-cigarettes will make smoking more socially acceptable.

     “A lot of smoking bans assist with that because those that want to quit are not seeing people smoking that trigger of other people smoking," Coombs said.

     The e-cigarette is banned in Canada, but here in the United States, there aren't any restrictions on selling it or even using it. 

     WENY-TV News set up a hidden camera at Holmes Plate in Corning to find out if that's really the case.

     Paula started smoking on the e-cigarette just minutes after we sat down in the restaurant.

     The bartender never asked Paula to put it out.

     Paula says the electronic cigarette is, in fact, convenient.

     But can it help you quit?

     “It impressed upon me physiologically how stupid you look smoking a cigarette,” she said. “I carry around something that I plug into my wall and I have to suck on it because I am so dependent on a chemical.”

     And what about helping to kick the habit physically?

     “I got something in my hand that I’m toking on, what's the difference if I just put a real cigarette there instead,” Paula said. “So I guess it could have been detrimental."

     It can get pricey too.

     An electronic cigarette can run you more than a hundred dollars.

     Smoking cessation experts recommend approved nicotine cessation aides, and behavior modification to gain control over your addiction.

     Paula says the e-cigarette is a waste of money, but she's still hopeful she can kick the habit.

     She is now on prescription medication to help her quit and she has set a quit date for next Tuesday.

 

CLICK HERE for Part 1.