A recent study of regular smokers resulted in the majority of participants making a switch to electronic cigarettes.
Carla J. Berg and researchers from the departments of Behavioral Sciences and Environmental Health at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia conducted an 8-week study of regular cigarette smokers by introducing them to e-cigarettes.
At the end of the 8-week study, researchers found that there was a significant change in the participants’ perspective, regarding the use of e-cigarettes.
“The majority believed that e-cigarettes versus regular cigarettes have fewer health risks (97.2%) and that e-cigarettes have been shown to help smokers quit (80.6%) and reduce cigarette consumption (97.2%),” the study said. “In addition, the majority intended to use e-cigarettes as a complete replacement for regular cigarettes (69.4%).”
Shawntelle Williams, a student in her second year at Tallahassee Community College has been smoking for fifteen years..
“I just feel some type of way about vapor,” Williams said, while puffing on a Black and Mild cigarette. “It hasn’t been around enough for me to want to try it. I don’t want to be a guinea pig.”
The author of the study admits in its conclusion that more research is necessary before the science community can officially support the practice of what many refer to as ‘vaping’.
“Future research is needed to document the long-term impact on smoking behavior and health among cigarette smokers who initiate use of e-cigarettes,” said the study.
Though the participants do not possess the needed scientific background to prove their claims, the majority believed that their health had improved after switching to electronic cigarettes for the study.
“At week 8, the majority reported improved health (65.4%), reduced smoker’s cough (57.7%), and improved sense of smell (53.8%) and taste (50.0%).”
Working at a local convenience store, Adrian Smith, a junior at TCC, sees a growing trend of popularity in e-cigarettes.
“I work at a convenience store and we have a lot of customers who come in and get the e-cigarettes because there’s some that have less nicotine in them,” Smith said. “They basically help wean them off of smoking actual cigarettes. I have a few customers that stopped smoking cigarettes period, because they went to the e-cigarettes.”
A graduate of TCC since 2005, Chris Houp has noticed positive changes in his friend’s physical health. A long time smoker, Houp’s friend recently made the switch from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
“We play basketball together and he’s gotten a little bit of his wind back.”
TAYLOR CRAIG MEDIA 