I read with interest the story regarding the rise of vaping and electronic cigarettes (Herald, Jan. 16). I respectfully have to disagree with the comments made by Claire Ninde of the San Juan Basin Health Department. A beneficial use of these devices is to help smokers beat their smoking addiction. Scientific evidence is now building demonstrating it can be a valuable tool in meeting that goal. I have personally counseled and observed patients who have been able to quit smoking by using these devices.
Medical professionals, including myself, do not condone this device for novice users who may become addicted to nicotine and then move on to real cigarettes, and thus be exposed to the some 300 chemicals that are emitted from burning tobacco leaf – 50 of which are known to adversely affect your health. The long-term safety of inhaling vaping substances is also not known, but in the narrow and limited use for beating the cigarette habit, it is a valuable tool.
Ed Razma
Durango
