HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KTHV) - Cigarettes still satisfy a lot of
smokers, but after years of doctors' warnings and countless dollars spent on
packs or cartons, there's something new that has smokers lighting up.
Pull up to the VaporStop store in Hot Springs, and one of
the first things you notice is the prominent, no smoking symbol within the
shop's logo. It's a touch of irony, considering store manager Mark Wilson said
most of VaporStop's customers are almost all current or former cigarette
smokers who have all turned to an alternative.
"Gives you the same satisfaction, gives you something
hold, something to do, something to draw on," he explained.
Wilson said the devices are designed to mimic the experience
of a cigarette minus the harmful chemicals in tobacco. There's a mechanism that
heats up liquid nicotine, which turns into a vapor that smokers inhale and
exhale.
"It's basically the same concept as theatrical fog, so
when you combine the two together with low voltage, you get what appears like
to be cigarette smoke," he described.
Open for close to 4 months now, Wilson confirmed that
VaporStop sees new customers daily.
"Probably 100 and then existing customers coming back
to get supplies, and we see them stepping down off of their nicotine," he
added.
Business may get even better said Wilson, when the FDA puts
regulations on e-cig internet sales in the near future.
"It could actually help the brick and mortars. Yes, it
could slow down the internet sales, which is where it's so easy just to check
that box that says I'm 18," he said.
No one under the age of 18 is allowed to buy products at his
store, but it's not illegal for minors to purchase electronic cigarettes if
they don't contain nicotine. So far the FDA hasn't approved vaping as a smoking
cessation therapy, but Wilson is a firm believer in the alternative. As a
smoker for 30 years, he's now turned to vaporizing.
"It wasn't long ago that I had to have oxygen at lunch
time to make it through my day, and I can drag my trash can up the hill without
stopping now."
The FDA is still looking into the safety of e-cigarettes and
warns they may lead young people to use regular cigarettes. Sales of e-cigs in
the U.S. topped a billion dollars last year, and are expected to reach $2
billion this year.
Article Credit: www.thv11.com
No comments:
Post a Comment